July 04, 2024
Physicians with experience providing care to youth in the 2SLGBTQ+ community point out gender-affirming care lowers a child's risk for depression by 60%, while the risk of suicidality goes down by 73%. Despite those statistics, many children and youth who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community have difficulty finding a care professional. The doctors cite two main sources for the disconnect:
- The rise of discriminatory policies by politicians and negative attitudes exhibited by the general public means healthcare for transgender youth isn't adequately resourced; and
- Physicians and medical students don't receive adequate training to provide the specialized care members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community require.