Being Safe, Being Me 2019: Results of the Canadian Youth Trans and Non-binary Health Survey is a national study by SARAVYC that builds on a similar survey conducted by SARAVYC in 2014. Similar to the survey in 2014, this survey was available for young people to take in English or French and surveyed a range of topics including gender identity, access to gender-affirming care and physical health.
In 2019, 223 trans and/or non-binary youth in Atlantic Provinces took the survey. Of the youth in Atlantic Provinces who took part in the survey, 11% identified as Indigenous and 95% were born in Canada. The majority of trans and/or non-binary youth in Atlantic Provinces reported that they are living in their felt gender full-time (52%) or part-time (37%). Some youth, however, are never living in their felt gender (12%).
Key findings for youth in Atlantic Provinces
- 22% have run away from home
- 30% attempted suicide in the past year
- 57% have experienced discrimination in Canada based on their sex
- 471% needed emotional or mental health services in the past year but did not get them
Recommendations for youth in Atlantic Provinces
- Implement accessible and knowledgeable mental and physical health care services and providers.
- Provide support and education for families to help them understand their trans and/or non-binary youth and to help youth feel safe at home.
- Develop training for teachers, school counsellors, and administrators on gender identity development and gender-affirming approaches to make schools a safer place for all youth.
