This Trans Awareness Week Youth Mental Health Foundation headspace is helping parents to better understand and support young people who identify as trans and gender diverse.
According to research around three in every four transgender young person in Australia has experienced anxiety or depression. This is 10 times higher than young people aged 12-17 years in the general population.[1]
While these statistics are concerning, being a part of the trans and gender diverse community is not itself a risk factor for mental health, rather stressors commonly experienced by trans and gender diverse young people like discrimination, homophobia and transphobia as well as social exclusion increases their vulnerability.
Additionally, trans and gender diverse young people that experience conflict with, or rejection by, their families and loved ones are at higher risk of developing depression and anxiety. In comparison, support and acceptance from family is a key protective factor for young trans and gender diverse people.
This Trans Awareness Week headspace National Clinical Advisor Nick Duigan is providing advice to parents to help them better support and understand their young person.
“Research has found trans and gender diverse young people who come from families that accept their gender identity have better overall health, mental health, higher self-esteem, and are more likely to believe they will have a good life as a gender diverse adult.”
“This Trans Awareness week we want to remind parents that even small changes in level of acceptance and support can make a difference in reducing the risk of suicide, self-harm and improve general and mental health outcomes for their trans and gender diverse young person,” said Nick.
Being open and accepting is at the core of supporting a trans and gender diverse young person, parents might also want to:
- Improve your own understanding and knowledge of gender identity issues through research, reading and contacting support groups
- Talk in an open, non-judgmental way about their identity
- Express acceptance and provide support
- Require that family members and other people respect their gender identity and expression, including using their preferred name and pronouns
- Welcome any friends or their partner, regardless of gender or sexuality, to family events
- Believe they can have a full, happy future as an adult
- Encourage the young person to get further advice and support
