Latest news with #SuicideHotline
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
"In sadness, I dissent": Sotomayor blasts conservative justices for upholding trans health care ban
The Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors on Wednesday. The 6-3 decision in United States v. Skrmetti lets stand a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The law would still allow puberty blockers and other hormone care for cisgender minors, meaning someone assigned female at birth couldn't receive a prescription for testosterone, but someone assigned male at birth could. The three families and doctor who challenged the Tennessee law said that it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by discriminating based on sex. Tennessee argued that the law is based on age and medical purpose, not sex. In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts left the issue to the states: 'We leave questions regarding its policy to the people, their elected representatives, and the democratic process.' The decision sets a precedent for the 25 states that have bans on pediatric gender-affirming care. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented from the majority opinion, joined by Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan. 'By retreating from meaningful judicial review exactly where it matters most, the Court abandons transgender children and their families to political whims. In sadness, I dissent,' Sotomayor wrote. Tennessee argued that the ban protects children from 'experimental' medical treatment, despite major U.S. medical and mental health organizations supporting gender-affirming care, saying it's backed by science and even medically necessary care that improves transgender youth's health and well-being.'Gender-affirming care is medically necessary for treating gender dysphoria and is backed by decades of peer-reviewed research, clinical experience, and scientific consensus,' Dr. Susan J. Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said in a statement. Tyler Hack, founder of the Christopher Street Project, said: 'There aren't words strong enough to describe how shameful, cruel, and morally corrupt this ruling is. Access to gender-affirming care is life-or-death.' 'The Supreme Court should know: this domino effect of suffering and more suffering is on their hands,' Hack said. The Trump administration is also eliminating the option for LGBTQ+ individuals who call the 988 Suicide Hotline to press 3 and connect with someone who specializes in LGBTQ+ mental health. Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the first transgender legislator elected in her state, addressed the ruling and 988 changes on Bluesky: 'These bastards want us all dead.'
CBS News
20-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Bringing awareness to help prevent teen suicide - "Be there and be willing to hear them."
It's a very serious topic and it has to be brought to the forefront of the conversation - teenage suicide. The Pittsburgh area has seen two in recent weeks, and while it may be uncomfortable to talk about, this is the beginning of a dangerous time of year for the teenagers in our lives. "Feeling isolated, feeling alone, they definitely are risk factors for things like depression and suicide," explained Dr. Gary Swanson, a child psychiatrist at Allegheny Health Network. "We've certainly seen a rise over the last number of years and we want to intervene and try to help as much as possible. Because one teen suicide is too many." What Ben Platt sang about in the show "Dear Evan Hansen" nearly a decade ago has faded, but teenage suicide has not. Dr. Swanson said there is no consistent cause, it varies from teenager to teenager but there are warning signs. "It's a sort of withdrawal, social withdrawal activity, a withdrawal you can see," he said. Dr. Swanson said if you see it, reach out, and don't be dismissed with a simple "I'm fine." "[Ask] no, how are you really doing? Be there, and be willing to hear how someone might really be feeling," he said. "Knowing somebody loves you, somebody cares for you, it's a tremendously helpful protective factor." Dr. Swanson also said if someone says they're alone, offer to do something with them, and let them know you don't want them to feel alone. He also cautioned that caring is not suggesting. "I would want to reassure them that by asking, you're not making it more likely, you're asking actually helps reduce the risk," Dr. Swanson said. It takes courage to reach out and approach someone you're concerned about and if you're not sure about how to do it, you're not alone. Most people don't. You can get resources from the Suicide Hotline at 988, asking a professional about how to handle it, but no matter what, do not ignore the concern. If you, or someone you know, are struggling, you can get help through 988 at this link .
