Transgender adults are more likely to have thoughts of suicide than other sector of adults in the state of California, a new report from UCLA finds.

According to researchers, transgender individuals are also more likely to attempt suicide.

The data, released earlier this week, is part of the annual UCLA California Health Interview Survey. It seeks to highlight health disparities among the marginalized population, who is also more likely than their non-transgender peers to face severe psychological distress, the study finds.

“There are also national debates and national policies that impact individual trans folks regardless of where they live in the country,” said Bianca Wilson, a senior scholar at the institute. “And on the national front, we still have a lot of work to do.”

 

The state of California prohibits discrimination against transgender people regarding insurance, housing, public accommodations and employment. Researchers say the report “underscores the need to determine how well these anti-discrimination policies are being implemented.

According to the study, 30 states lack similar anti-discrimination laws.

“There are also national debates and national policies that impact individual trans folks regardless of where they live in the country,” said Wilson, a senior scholar at the institute. “And on the national front, we still have a lot of work to do.”

Click here for the full study.