A large, peer-reviewed study published Friday in JAMA Network Open found that transgender youths prescribed puberty blockers had significantly lower adjusted odds of diagnosed mood disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors than transgender youths who did not receive the medications, adding new evidence to one of the most politically contentious areas of pediatric medicine.
The nationwide retrospective cohort study examined insurance claims data from more than 231,000 youths between 2016 and 2025, comparing transgender and cisgender youths who either did or did not receive puberty blockers.
Without a causal link shown it’s just peer reviewed correlation. Yes, there are things to suggest it helps with mental health outcomes but as the paper says directly, this is not a proof and there are other factors at play.
I’m not a fan of scientific studies where correlation is all they can come up with. If correlation alone was what we went by then scientists could propose public policies to reintroduce maritime piracy to decrease global warming - they’re inversely correlated after all.
I’m not a fan of correlation is all they can come with up either, but if there’s strong correlation for nearly a century (the first studies on cross-sex hormones in adults are quite old) that transition and family/peer support helps reduce depression and suicidality, I’m inclined to at least be supportive.
With children, it’s even easier for me in particular to lend my support because the data are still strongly in favour of support even if the kid grows out of it later and blockers are largely reversible with few side effects. But as you say, we need to continue to monitor the literature to see how our understanding of the situation changes as we learn more.