Support from others, especially parents and caregivers, is crucial for the well-being of transgender, nonbinary, and gender questioning (TGNB) young people, as it provides a solid foundation for their development and health. Having access to affirming environments and adults is associated with fewer mental health concerns, including lower rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts for TGNB young people. Some examples of supportive actions include affirming their name and pronouns, providing access to gender-affirming care, and advocating for their needs. In contrast, disaffirming or unsupportive actions, such as misgendering a TGNB young person, are associated with negative mental health outcomes, reinforcing the importance of caregivers displaying acceptance. Some specific actions have been identified that show support for LGBTQ+ and TGNB young people. These actions include parents and caregivers not supporting politicians who advocate for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and respecting a young person’s gender identity. However, this research did not examine which actions TGNB young people find the most supportive, or the cumulative impact of supportive actions on suicide risk. With more knowledge about supportive actions and their possible impacts, TGNB youth can be better cared for by parents, caregivers, friends, and community. In observance of Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance, the following brief uses data from the 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People to highlight ways to support TGNB young people and to examine how these supports are associated with suicide risk.
Population of Focus: Trans and Nonbinary Youth
Links to Resources:
Date: 2024
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