An illuminating new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that some 2% of all high school students in America identify as transgender—and a significant portion of them are struggling with mental health issues.

The report, published Thursday, January 24, examined data from surveys of students in 2017 across 10 states in the U.S. and nine large urban school districts. In total, more than 131,000 students were polled.

A few key statistics emerged: The first, that 1.8% of high school-age students nationwide identify as transgender or gender non-binary. That's a significantly larger number than 2017's figure from The Williams Institute, which estimated that .7% of American teens identify as trans or gender non-conforming. It's also just shy of a 3% estimate published in a February 2018 edition of Pediatrics academic journal.

But the CDC's findings didn't stop there: According to the new report, nearly 35% of the trans students surveyed reported attempting suicide in the past year. The research team also confirmed that transgender students are at a disproportionately high risk of hate-motivated violence and substance abuse.

The report concluded that the findings indicate "a need for programmatic efforts to better support the overall health of transgender youths."

Aside from violence victimization, the report didn't suggest any specific reasons why transgender youth might be more at risk for substance abuse or suicidal behavior. But the current administration's repeated attacks on America's trans community seem to paint a similarly dismal image of being trans in the U.S.

In a statement, Amit Paley, CEO and executive director of the LGBTQ youth suicide prevention nonprofit The Trevor Project, commented on the report's importance:

The CDC’s new groundbreaking report shows that transgender youth exist in much greater numbers than researchers previously estimated. By collecting data inclusive of gender identity, the report shows the very real health risks faced by transgender and gender non-conforming youth. The CDC’s findings highlight the need for even more policies to protect transgender and gender nonconforming youth, as well as additional support for LGBTQ-affirming organizations like The Trevor Project.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, contact your health care provider or The Trevor Project.