Mental health can be a tough topic for men – and it can be even tougher when you’re part of a marginalized group.

On this week’s episode, I sat down with public speaker and author Nate Cannon to talk about his work as a mental health advocate in the trans community, which faces a disproportionate rate of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety and attempted suicide.

“We've seen numbers coming out, for example, upwards of 55% to 60% of transgender men or boys have had suicidal thoughts just within the last year. And wow … that is very alarming. And so if I can help talk with folks and express some education and awareness around how intense the mental health symptoms can be around gender dysphoria, and how important it is to honor that identity, I wanna do everything I can to do that.” – Nate (11:07)

Nate, who is a transgender man, also shared about the stigma around mental health and being trans in the LGBTQ+ community, his own experience transitioning, and the importance of supporting kids who may be questioning their identity.

“If we don't allow [gender] exploration, I worry that there's going to be an exacerbation of baseline mental health challenges, which as we've discussed is already a significant issue for the trans population, especially kids right now. So I do think that it's important that we have those conversations and be open about it.” – Nate (28:12)

As a survivor of two suicide attempts and as a person who lives with mental illness, Nate also discusses his work in mental health advocacy, and talks about the life-saving freedom of living your truth. 

“I do know that if I hadn't transitioned, I wouldn't be here. I would not be alive today. …  I am still here. I am still alive. I'm still breathing. Thankfully I'm cognitively intact and able to share my story in a way that hopefully it’ll maybe give someone pause before they consider taking their lives.” – Nate (1:08:00)

 

In This Episode

• (01:16) Nate’s story and how he got involved with mental health advocacy 
• (03:52) Stigma around mental health and being trans in the LGBTQ+ community
• (07:17) Nate’s childhood experiences figuring out his gender identity 
• (18:01) How playing hockey helped Nate realize he was trans, not lesbian
• (24:09) Nate’s advice for parents of trans kids
• (36:52) The process of transitioning, and the challenges Nate encountered accessing gender-affirming procedures as a person with mental health and neurological conditions
• (45:39) Differences in social expectations Nate’s experienced since transitioning
• (50:30) The challenges of living as a trans person in a social system not built for trans people
• (1:06:00) How Nate would’ve handled his transition differently

 

Our Guest

Acclaimed public speaker and author Nate Cannon has spoken about his experiences as a transgender man living with mental illness and disability at government agencies, univiersites and non-profits across the country. 

He also provides organizational training in areas including diversity and inclusion, crisis intervention, disability justice and other LGBTQ+ issues.

He is the author of two memoirs, “Running On A Mind Rewired,” and “Dying to Hang with The Boys.”

 

Resources & Links

Off The Cuff

• https://www.offthecuff.fm/
• https://www.youtube.com/c/OffTheCuffwithDannyLoPriore
• https://www.instagram.com/1and1otc/
• https://www.instagram.com/dannylopriore/

Nate Cannon

• https://www.runningrewired.com/
• http://www.facebook.com/runningrewired