Navigating Healthcare and Mental Health
This section is dedicated to providing guidance, insight, and affirming resources to help you advocate for your child's healthcare and psychological well-being with confidence. Whether you're at the start of this journey or seeking more specialized care, you're not alone.
Healthcare Challenges
Discrimination and Stigma
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Fear of mistreatment or misgendering by healthcare professionals
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Limited availability of knowledgeable and affirming providers
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Barriers to accessing gender-affirming treatments resulting from systemic transphobia
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Access Barriers
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Inadequate insurance coverage for gender-affirming care
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Long waitlists for gender-affirming specialists
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Parental and Caregiver Support
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Family resistance impacting healthcare access
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Need for education and support for parents in affirming their child's identity
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Legal and Policy Restrictions
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Anti-trans legislation limiting acces to medical care for minors
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Fear of legal repercussions for providers and families seeking gender-affirming care
Healthcare Needs
Gender-Affirming Care
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Puberty blockers, hormone therapy, medical procedures for those seeking medical transition
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Affirmative primary care that acknowledges and respects gender identity
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Safe Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare
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Inclusive sexual health education
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Treatment acknowledging reproductive health needs while tending to body dysphoria
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Option for fertility preservation for those undergoing medical transition
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General Healthcare Services
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Routine medical care at facilities free of stigma and discrimination
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Access to informed and affirming providers across medical specialties
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Education on navigation healthcare systems not designed for TGEY
Resources
Tri-State Area
New Jersey, New York & Pennsylvania
Rutgers Center for Transgender Health (Newark, NJ)
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Services: Pediatrics, hormone therapy,
medical, and surgical care
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Website: www.njms.rutgers.edu​
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​​NYU Langone Health (Manhattan, NY)
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Services: Hormone therapy, surgical care,
rehabilitation care, adolescent care
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Website: www.nyulangone.org​​​​​​​​
Allentown Women's Center (Bethlehem, PA)
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Services: Hormone therapy, referrals
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Website: www.allentownwomenscenter.com
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Mazzoni Center (Philadelphia, PA)
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Services: Primary and preventive care, gender affirming surgery assessments for support letters
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Website: www.mazzonicenter.org
Beyond Your Backyard
Planned Parenthood
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Services: Directory of providers
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Website: www.plannedparenthood.org
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality
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Services: Directory of providers
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Website: www.glma.org
Mental Health Challenges
High Rates of Anxiety and Depression
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Especially vulnerable due to stigma, rejection, and societal demands
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Suicidality and Self-Harm
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Rates of suicidal ideation and attempts are disproportionately high among TGEY
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Gender Dysphoria
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Distress related to mismatch between gender identity and assigned sex at birth can lead to emotional and psychological strain, particularly throughout puberty
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Family Rejection
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Lack of family support is a strong indicator of poor mental health outcomes ​
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Bullying and Social Isolation
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High rates of bullying, harassment, and exclusion in academic settings leading to withdrawal, social anxiety, and academic challenges
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Intersection of Identities
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TGEY who have multiple identities such as Black, Latino, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants, or have disabilities often face additional layers of discrimination
Mental Health Needs
Gender-Affirming Mental Health Care
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Access to therapist trained in gender dysphoria and gender identity development
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Providers who respect and affirm gender identity without pathologizing it
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Family and Caregiver Support
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Family therapy to promote understanding and support within the family context
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Education and guidance for parents and caregivers to help navigate their child's mental health needs and gender journey
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Suicide Prevention
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Availability of crisis services and affirming hotlines with expertise in TGEY issues
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Community
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Safe spaces to connect with other TGEY for social connection, validation, and support
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Support groups can decrease isolation and foster resilience
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Affirming School Environments
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School-based mental health initiatives and regulations that promotes safety and inclusion
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Intersectional and Culturally Responsive Services
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Mental health services that honor the youth's racial, cultural, and spiritual identities
Resources
Crisis Support and Hotlines
The Trevor Project
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Services: Offers 24/7 crisis intervention, suicide prevention (phone, chat, and text support)
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Website: www.thetrevorproject.org
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Phone: 1-866-488-7386
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Text: Text "START" to 678-678
Trans Lifeline
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Services: Peer support, crisis hotline staffed by trans people for trans people
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Website: www.translifeline.org
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Phone: 1-877-565-8860
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
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Services: 24/7 support for anyone experiencing emotional distress
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Phone: Call or text 988
Mental Health Providers and Therapy Resources
Pocono Behavioral Wellness, LLC
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Services: LGBTQ+ affirming counseling
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Website: www.poconobehavioralwellness.com
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Phone: 1-973-998-8686 (Mendham, NJ) 1-570-994-2664 (Stroudsburg, PA)
​Gender Spectrum
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Services: Family support, educational webinars, advocacy
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Website: www.genderspectrum.org
Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality
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Services: Find LGBTQ+ affirming providers
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Website: www.translifeline.org
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Phone: 1-877-565-8860
The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)​
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Services: Directory of gender-affirming mental health providers
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Website: www.psychologytoday.com
Peer Support and CommunityResources
Q Chat Space
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Services: Live, moderated online discussion groups for LGBTQ+ adolescents
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Website: www.qchatspace.org
It Gets Better Project
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Services: Storytelling, support to inspire hope for LGBTQ+ youth
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Website: www.itgetsbetter.org
Parents, Families, and Friends of LGBTQ+ People (PFLAG)
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Services: Support, education, and advocacy for families of LGBTQ+ youth
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Website: www.pflag.org
WHERE TO NEXT?
