Addressing Transgender Mental Health Concerns: Strategies for Support

In today's fraught political environment, transgender people find themselves a common target of vitriol, misinformation, discrimination, stigma, and outright hate. Gender diverse youth and transgender adults have always dealt with increased risk of mental health problems due to the prejudices of the general population, but currently the hard-won gender affirming medical care that many enjoy is now also under fire. Mental health support for transgender people is now more important than ever before.

Understanding Transgender Mental Health Challenges

Mental health concerns are common among transgender individuals, with higher rates of mental health disorders compared to the general population. Transgender individuals may experience anxiety disorders, depression, and suicidal thoughts due to societal and cultural discrimination.

Understanding the definition of transgender and gender identity is crucial in addressing mental health concerns, and there are not currently sufficient numbers of mental health experts in gender identity to address the number of transgender youth and adults that need care.

Gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of being male, female, or something else, which may not align with their sex assigned at birth.

Definition of Transgender and Gender Identity

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or gender expression differs from the cultural and societal expectations of the binary sex they were assigned at birth. Gender identity is different from sexual orientation, and people who are transgender have a diverse range of sexual orientations.

Gender expression does not necessarily align with one’s gender identity.

Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders

Mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are more prevalent among transgender individuals due to societal and cultural discrimination. In fact, transgender people are at higher risk of experiencing adverse mental health outcomes, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Mental health concerns can be and often are exacerbated by a lack of access to gender-affirming care and support, especially in rural areas.

Factors Contributing to Mental Health Challenges

Societal and cultural discrimination can contribute to mental health challenges among transgender people, while lack of support from family and friends can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Transgender folks may also experience microaggressions, bullying, and discrimination in various settings, including school and work.

Societal and Cultural Discrimination

Transgender people may face discrimination in healthcare settings, leading to delayed or foregone care. In fact, in many places, lack of care can be considered a public health crisis.

Insurance coverage and discrimination in healthcare settings can contribute to transgender people seeking care less often, increasing their risk of health problems. Government pressure strips certain localities of medical facilities that will offer gender-affirming hormones and other forms of care.

Public health initiatives can play a crucial role in addressing mental health concerns among transgender folks.

Mental Health and Gender Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria is a psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one’s sex assigned at birth and their gender identity. Understanding gender dysphoria is essential in addressing mental health concerns among transgender individuals.

Gender-affirming medical care and health care such as hormone therapy can help alleviate symptoms of gender dysphoria and improve mental health overall.

Understanding Gender Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria is a recognized medical condition that requires treatment and support. Gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and surgery, can help alleviate symptoms of gender dysphoria. Imagine living in a body that didn't feel like it belonged to you. For many transgender youth, this is a daily struggle. Gender affirming hormones can be used in teen years with no adverse affects and allow transgender youth to align more closely with their own self-concept. Mental health markers can be improved with access to gender-affirming care and support.

Strategies for Support and Care

Accessing mental health care is crucial in addressing mental health concerns among transgender people. Building resilience and promoting positive mental health can be achieved through support and care.

Accessing Mental Health Care

Mental health care providers should be trained to provide culturally competent care, including understanding the specific health concerns and risks faced by transgender people.

Insurance coverage for transgender-related health care services, such as hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries, is essential for ensuring access to necessary care.

Transgender folks should have access to mental health care that is sensitive to their needs and experiences.

Building Resilience and Promoting Positive Mental Health

Building a support network of family, friends, and peers can help improve mental health. As with individuals who experience non-conforming sexual orientation, transgender youth are often rejected by family because of their challenges to gender identity. Therefore, social connections are often sought with other transgender youth and transgender adults, either in person or online.

Self-care is another essential in maintaining good mental health, and transgender people should prioritize self-care activities to take care of their own physical and emotional health. Finding and participating in communities, maintaining interests and hobbies, and seeking help with a therapist can all help. Mental health outcomes can be improved with access to gender-affirming care and support.

Creating a Supportive Environment

Creating a supportive environment is crucial in addressing mental health concerns among transgender people, and the importance of self-care and building a support network cannot be overstated. Gender-nonconforming people often have to create their own communities and groups due to the social stigma of mainstream society. Seeking these out in person or online can save lives.

The Importance of Self-Care

Self-care activities can protect both mental and physical health and can help reduce stress and anxiety. This can include things like:

• Getting regular physical activity
• Eating a balanced, healthy diet
• Participating in preferred hobbies and interests
• Creating and maintaining strong social connections
• Conforming to their own sense of gender identity

Transgender people should prioritize self-care activities to maintain good mental health, as self-care can help promote positive mental health outcomes and reduce the risk of adverse mental health outcomes.

Supporting Transgender Mental Health in Brooklyn

Addressing transgender mental health concerns requires a comprehensive approach that includes access to gender-affirming care, support, and education. Creating a supportive environment is crucial in addressing mental health concerns among transgender individuals. In addition to addressing gender identity through gender affirming hormone therapy, surgery, and other forms of health care, a person's mental health may be improved through psychotherapy.

At Williamsburg Therapy Group our team of doctoral-level Brooklyn psychotherapists offers a number of evidence-based therapeutic approaches to talk therapy for traumatic experiences around gender identity, including complex trauma. They can also offer help for mental health problems that stem from family and societal prejudices against transgender people.

If you are seeking therapy for gender identity, call our service coordinator to be matched with a mental health professional that can offer gender affirming therapy, address any underlying mental health condition that may have resulted as a result of childhood trauma, offer tools for healthy communication and conflict resolution, process traumatic memories, share healthy coping skills, and in general improve and quality of life.