By: Jason Rafferty MD, MPH, EdM, FAAP
Mental Health Support for Gender-Diverse Youth
Support or rejection ultimately has little influence on the gender identity of youth; however, it may strongly affect young person’s ability to openly share or discuss concerns about their identity and feelings. Gender-diverse identities and expressions are not mental disorders, but suppressing gender concerns can harm a child’s emotional health and development and possibly contribute to high rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
A large proportion of teenage suicide attempts are linked to issues of gender and sexuality, particularly feelings of rejection. Many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals unfortunately attempt suicide during their lifetime. As a parent, even when you struggle to understand and may not see eye-to-eye, your most important role is to offer understanding, respect, and unconditional love for your child. This builds trust and puts you in a better position to help them through difficult times. Research has shown that if a transgender teen has even just one supportive person their life, it greatly reduce their risk of suicide.
Transgender and gender-diverse children – like all children – need support, love and care from family, school and society. When supported and loved as they grow and develop, kids mature into happy and healthy adults. Pediatricians stand ready to assist in the healthy development of transgender and gender-diverse children.
When to Talk with Your Child’s Pediatrician:
Talk to your child’s pediatrician early and often. It is recommended that pediatricians start conversations with children as young as preschool about their bodies, feelings, and relationships. Pediatricians can help them understand and appreciate difficult feelings and concerns.
It is important to recognize that cross-gender preferences and play is a normal part of exploring gender and relationships for children regardless of their future gender identity. Routine conversations about gender creates an environment of support and reassurance so that children feel safe bringing up questions and concerns. It is also good practice for continuing these discussions at home. The best approach, for parents or pediatricians, is to nonjudgmentally ask questions that allow the child to talk about their experience and feelings before applying any labels or assumptions.
If your child is struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, isolation, or other emotional concerns, then he or she may need to see a mental health professional who can offer additional support. If your child mentions any suicidal thinking, then it should be brought to the attention of your pediatrician or mental health professional right away.
For more information or help finding a support group for yourself or your child, please talk with your pediatrician.
About Dr. Rafferty:
RaffertyJason Rafferty, MD, MPH, EdM, FAAP, is a “Triple Board” residency graduate who is pediatrician and child psychiatrist at Thundermist Health Centers, a Patient-Centered Medical Home in Rhode Island. He specializes in adolescent substance use disorders and gender and sexual development, and also practices in related specialty clinics at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital. Dr. Rafferty is an advocate in his local community and on a national level through work with the American Academy of Pediatrics on issues including the emotional health of young men, access to care for LGBTQ youth, and prevention of childhood homelessness.
Last Updated 9/17/2018
Source American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2018)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
