Transgendered individuals are discriminated in their family, school and workplace environments. These conditions are risk factors for depression, isolation, and suicide.

In this study we analyzed the suicide thoughts and attempts in a long-term follow up of a transgender group who applied to a psychiatry clinic.

We investigated transgendered individuals who applied to Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatry Department. They are followed up with both individual and group psychotherapy for two years. Also, family counseling meetings are conducted twice a year.

In these groups the topics family relationships, medical problems, relationships, work problems, financial issues, religious concerns, the transgender image reflected in the media. Groups also serve as self-help groups, the process of self-acceptance and opening up is accelerated.

High rates of life time suicide thoughts (44,2%), attempts (24,7%) have been observed. In some cases suicide attempts were the reason of their application to clinic and can be seen as a help seeking behavior. No suicide attempt was reported within the fallow up period and after the sex reassignment surgery.

The societies that sexuality is still a taboo, the transgendered individuals are being exposed to discrimination. These conditions may cause isolation, a reason to estrange themselves from social life and suicide attempts.

The group experience is very helpful in the process of self-acceptance and to learn problem-solving, as it enables transgender people who hide their true identities in their daily lives to get together with other people who go through the same things as they do.