Transgender/nonbinary college and university students' perceptions and use of mental health services: Comparisons to peers in a large U.S. sample.

OBJECTIVE

This study was intended to characterize transgender and/or nonbinary (TNB) college and university students' perceptions (e.g., perceived need, perceived barriers) and use of mental health care, including any differences relative to cisgender peers.

PARTICIPANTS AND

METHODS

Using cross-sectional, population-based survey data from U.S. undergraduate and graduate students (2015-2021), we compared TNB (n = 10,297) and cisgender (n = 426,827) students' perceptions and use of mental health services via demographic-adjusted generalized linear models.

RESULTS

Over 77% of TNB students had moderate-to-severe depression/anxiety symptoms. TNB students were significantly more likely than cisgender students to have used psychotherapy (risk ratio [RR] = 2.12) and psychiatric medication (RR = 2.05) in the past year-and significantly more likely to perceive barriers to care, including appointment availability problems (RR = 2.67) and feeling misunderstood by providers (RR = 1.96).

CONCLUSION

Colleges and universities should take steps to facilitate equitable care for TNB students, including access to TNB-affirming clinicians on and off campus.