There is an association between being transgender and depression issues. Research suggests a higher likelihood that teens who are transgender will experience mental health issues, and they are almost three times as likely to try to commit suicide as cisgender teens.
Due to the specific challenges that transgender teens face, and the accompanying mental issues that are likely to affect them, it is important to take measures to support transgender people in your community, especially if they choose to transition during adolescence.
Family support
When a person has gender dysphoria, they struggle with the fact that they do not accept their own body. This can be particularly complicated for teenagers, who are going through puberty and dealing with hormonal and physical changes that affect both their mood and appearance.
One way to support your transgender teen is to allow them to manifest their gender identity through their outward appearance. This could involve allowing a transgender boy who was assigned female at birth to cut their hair short and wear boys’ clothing. A transgender girl who was assigned male at birth may wish to grow their hair long and wear makeup. When family members support their teen’s expression of true gender identity, it enables the teen to feel secure in their identity.
Another thing that a parent can do is to accept and support a name change to fit their child’s gender identity. Note also that the name change laws vary from state to state. For additional information on Transgender Name Change laws in, for example, California, please visit https://eznamechange.com. Now saying that, if you’re looking for a way to express your acceptance, then consider paying for your teen to legally change their name. Even before a legal change occurs, family members can support the transition process by using the appropriate pronouns to match their child’s actual gender identity instead of the one they were born with.
Parents can also help their teen by doing their own homework. You may be surprised at how state and local laws can vary on trans issues, and these policies may determine things like which bathroom your teen is allowed to use. Understanding your teen’s rights and educating them about those rights can be an important step towards keeping them safe.
Community support
Whether it’s large or small, each person functions within a community that is governed by rules and expectations. Most people are part of several communities. A school has its own community structure, purpose and expectations. This is also true of churches and other organizations.
When transgender teens exhibit signs of gender dysphoria, communities and community groups have the ability to positively impact the teen. One way they can do this is by accepting the teen’s true identity. When community groups push teens to conform, they can damage their self-esteem and cause emotional turmoil.
There are groups that provide support to transgender teens. Joining a group like this can be an important way of connecting with other people who are experiencing similar issues and challenges. It can also be a way to learn about trans rights and develop strategies for addressing specific problems related to being transgender.
Communities should strive to understand the laws that govern them. This means that when a town’s state permits transgender teens to use bathrooms of their choosing or adopt a chosen name that matches their gender identity, communities should support those choices.
Schools and other groups can help facilitate this by educating students, staff, and parents about transgender issues and relevant laws and policies. They can promote safety for transgender students by enforcing the laws and addressing any issues that arise as a result.
Peer support
All teens are discovering their identity and exploring their sexuality; the teenage years are a period of significant change for everyone. The challenges of being a teenager are compounded by the specific issues that trans teens face. One simple way for peers to support transgender students is by calling them by their preferred name and gender pronouns.
Another way to embrace transgender teens and promote acceptance is to include them in all aspects of life that apply to individuals who are their preferred gender. A high school in Wisconsin made headlines when a transgender student was elected prom queen. This is a powerful way of showing widespread support for teens who are transitioning, but there are simple everyday ways to embrace transgender teens as well, such as helping with makeup tips or inviting a peer to join a sports team or play video games.
The act of including transgender teens in normal activities helps make a powerful statement to them and to society, reinforcing their acceptance and your support.