34 - Gender Dysphoria & Suicide
Summary
This episode critically examines the multifaceted issue of suicide, particularly in relation to gender dysphoria. Sasha and Stella expose the misuse of suicide statistics, challenge the narrative that transitioning guarantees a reduction in suicidality, and critique how media and activism often misrepresent the topic. They emphasize the importance of nuanced understanding, appropriate clinical responses, and fostering connection for young people struggling with suicidal ideation, rather than resorting to fear-driven or simplistic solutions.Episode description
Sasha and Stella tackle the complex subject of suicide. They reflect on the many emotional and relational difficulties involved and parse out the differences between suicide risk and suicidal ideation. While terrifying, it sometimes offers an escape fantasy and desire for control, making suicide an existential issue. Furthermore, they point to the stark lack of data available relating to gender dysphoria and suicidality and discuss how the fear of suicide is used against families wishing to safeguard their children.
If you wish to speak to someone about any issues that arose during this please contact the Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Links:
- Assist Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training: https://www.youth.ie/training/asist-applied-suicide-intervention-skills-training/
- Media guidelines: https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/about-samaritans/media-guidelines/
- Kurt Cobain https://www.newsweek.com/did-kurt-cobains-death-lower-suicide-rate-1994-244332
- Robin Williams https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/talking-about-men/201908/robin-williams-death-and-subsequent-suicide-contagion
- Dhejne C, Lichtenstein P, Boman M, Johansson ALV, Långström N, et al. (2011) Long-Term Follow-Up of Transsexual Persons Undergoing Sex Reassignment Surgery: Cohort Study in Sweden. PLOS ONE 6(2):e16885. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0016885
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0016885
- The Trans Trains 2 (Swedish documentary with subtitles): ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73-mLwWIgwU
- Michael Biggs on suicie: Attempted suicide by American LGBT adolescents
https://4thwavenow.com/tag/michael-biggs/
- Mum's fury after transgender suicide teen sold hormones from illegal online clinic https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/transgender-treatment-nhs-webberley-jayden-16504026
- Transgender Trend: Suicide Facts and Myths: https://www.transgendertrend.com/the-suicide-myth/
- Philip Larkin: This be the verse https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48419/this-be-the-verse
Extended Notes
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