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457 Assessment of Mental Health Needs of Transgender Adults Seen at a Midwest Transgender Center

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2023

Samuel Cortez*
Affiliation:
Washington University in St. Louis
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Abstract

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OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Prior studies suggest that transgender individuals are at greater risk of mental health problems. This study aims to determine the mental health care needs of the adult transgender population seen at a tertiary referral hospital in the Midwest region of the United States and assess necessary resources to provide optimal care. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study included all new transgender patients > 18 years old, seen at the Washington University Transgender Center since December 2019 through May 2022. Electronic medical record data obtained from their initial and subsequent follow-up visits include 1) Demographics: date of birth, age, race, ethnicity, sex assigned at birth, gender identity, zip code of residency 2) Mental health diagnosis: Previous mental health diagnosis, mental health history 3) Mental health care access: mental health providers, mental health treatment, previous mental health admission, resources provided in clinic. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: 487 patient records were reviewed. Median age at initial visit was 24 years (18 - 75 yr), with 46% identify as woman, 37% as man. Predominantly white (84%), 11% were black. 93% had primary health insurance At the first visit, 81% reported having some mental health diagnosis: depression (88%), anxiety (71%), attention deficit disorder (21%). Prior suicide attempt reported on 12% and 5% with self-harm behavior. Only 48% had a therapist and 22% had an established psychiatrist First follow up occurred with a median of 4 months (1-22 months). 4 patients reported new suicide attempt, 3 reported new self-harm behavior. 9 patients required a hospital admission due to a psychiatric condition. 4% reported a new mental health diagnosis (most common: depression and anxiety). No changes noted on access to therapist or psychiatrist DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study shows that adult transgender individuals have high rates of depression, anxiety, and overall psychological distress which is exacerbated by poor access to mental healthcare. This indicates a critical need to include mental healthcare professionals during the evaluation of adult transgender individuals

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Other
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. The Association for Clinical and Translational Science