¸ßÇ帣ÀûƬ

In her address to theÌýÌýtoday, actress, writer and advocate Georgie Stone OAM is sharing her experience as a young trans person growing up in Australia.

Georgie’s story highlights her courage and determination to overcome barriers that prevent young trans people from accessing gender affirming health care and support. At just 22, Georgie has beenÌýÌýfor her tireless work to reduce discrimination and remove systemic barriers for young trans people, who were subjected to attacks at recentÌýÌýin Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

In the face of this negativity, Georgie’s story emphasises how we can better support the trans community and calls particular attention to the pivotal role families play in supporting trans children and adolescents to thrive and reach their full potential.

Although many young trans people experience anxiety and depression as a result of stigma and discrimination,ÌýÌýacts as a protective buffer for their health and wellbeing.

Ìýshows family support is most strongly linked with mental health and resilience compared to support from friends or connectedness to the trans community.

Similarly, for young trans people, parental support is significantly associated with higher life satisfaction andÌý, as well asÌýreducing reported suicide attemptsÌýfrom 57% to 4%.

When family support is missing, trans people experienceÌý. Many who do not have parental supportÌý.

In a recentÌý, young trans people in the United States were asked about family support and identified numerous ways parents can help. Some – such as expressions of love and affection, open communication, and the provision of advice, encouragement and financial support – were not directly related to the young person’s gender diversity. Others were directly related, including emotional support at the time of coming out, willingness to listen to the young person’s experience of gender, use of chosen names and pronouns, and support forÌý.

Notably, some young trans people said their parents weren’t comfortable, or didn’t have knowledge and understanding about gender diversity. So, how can we help parents better support their trans children?

Ìýof families of young trans people have identified ways parental support can be facilitated.

1. Learning as much as possible

First, parents of young trans people sayÌýÌýand accessing relevant information is really important.

Such information includes knowledge aboutÌý,Ìý,Ìý, andÌý.

While many parents can obtain this information online, family-based peer support groups and health professionalsÌýÌý(including general practitioners and community-based andÌýÌý) are often critical sources of additional and reliable knowledge.

2. Families supporting families

Secondly, as Georgie’s story illustrates, families of young trans people can play a powerful role through the provision of peer support. Support groups for parents of trans young peopleÌýÌýto share stories and obtain support from people in similar situations. This helps parents feel less alone and to navigate the challenges facing their children, including inÌýÌýandÌý.

Family-based support groups can provide connections to the broader trans community. This can help foster a sense of pride in gender diversity but also give young trans people role models that show trans people enjoying positive, fulfilled lives. Family-based peer support groups are essential andÌýÌýto meet the growing demand of parents requiring assistance.

3. Accessing multidisciplinary care

Many parents seek access to gender-affirming healthcare for their trans children. Multidisciplinary gender clinics (that could involve mental health, endocrinology, adolescent medicine and nursing specialists) and other health care professionals have an important role in providing parents with the support they need. This needs to be done in anÌýÌýand incorporateÌý, such as addressing parental concerns from a risk/benefit perspective, understanding the parent journey, and adopting a shared decision-making approach to a young person’s care.

More broadly, research identifies the need forÌýÌýthat is comprehensive, efficient, and providesÌýÌýacross all the health professionals involved, whether they be general practitioners, mental health clinicians or paediatricians. This applies not only to the health system but also welfare, education and legal sectors too. For example, a social worker may assist a trans young person and their family with referral pathways to available support services in their local area. They can also work with the young person’s school to ensure an inclusive school environment.

Families serve a critical protective role for young trans people, helping to minimise poor mental health and to promote wellbeing.

Listening to trans young people and their parents and carers, is vital to help families provide effective support and nurturing. Engaging families in partnerships to reconfigure health and support services that areÌýÌýand meet their needs is essential.

This article was first published on as 'Family support protects trans young people - but their families need support too'. Cristyn Davies is a Senior Research Associate in the Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health at the University of Sydney Clinical School, Children's Westmead Hospital.

This article was co-authored by Cris Townley (Western Sydney University), Ken Pang (Murdoch Children's Research Institute), Kerry H Robinson (Western Sydney University), and Rachel Skinner (University of Sydney).