Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Caitlyn Jenner speaks about suicidal thoughts during first episode of new show I Am Cait

Jenner picked up an award for courage at the ESPY Awards last week

Doug Bolton
Thursday 23 July 2015 08:00 BST
Comments
Caitlyn Jenner accepts her Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY awards
Caitlyn Jenner accepts her Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY awards (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Former Olympic athlete Caitlyn Jenner has admitted that she had suicidal thoughts before she came out as transgender.

Speaking in the first episode of her new series I Am Cait, she said that she had considered killing herself due to her struggles with her gender identity.

She said: "I've had some very dark moments in my life. I have been in my house with a gun and said, 'Let's just end it right here.'"

"People are dying over this issue," she added. "I feel a tremendous responsibility here, because I have a voice, and there are so many trans people out there who do not have a voice."

After taking the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Olympics, Jenner, who then went by the name Bruce, became a sporting hero.

She came out as transgender in April this year, and since her transition, she has spoken openly about the struggles that she and other transgender people face.

At the end of the first episode, she visits the mother of Kyler Prescott, a transgender teenager who died by suicide at the age of 14.

Caitlyn Jenner's Vanity Fair cover photo is now world-famous
Caitlyn Jenner's Vanity Fair cover photo is now world-famous (MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Speaking about the issues facing young transgender people, Kyler's mother said: "Even with the full support of the family, it's still a hard journey."

During the visit, Jenner said: ""What I want to do is just be able to create understanding, so the next person doesn't have to be like me."

Last week, Jenner received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPN sport channel's annual ESPY Awards, in recognition of the courage she showed in publicly coming out and openly telling others about her struggles.

The Samaritans provides a free support service for those who need to talk to someone. It can be contacted through Samaritans.org or on 08457 90 90 90, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in