Trans youth less distressed in the healthcare system than outside it

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-09-03 00:01

New Zealand

Surveying shows nearly three in four transgender youth accessing gender-affirming healthcare are distressed, with many unable to access mental health support. However the rate of distress is lower than a previous study on trans youth in the community, where nearly a third did not have access to hormone treatment. The researchers say there needs to be more education for GPs on the health needs of young trans people, and clear referral pathways need to be set up for specialist gender-affirming healthcare services.

News release

From: New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA)

Summary

High levels of distress are experienced by young transgender people in Aotearoa New Zealand. This speaks to an urgent need to upskill primary care on the health needs for young transgender people and provide clear referral pathways to access specialist gender-affirming healthcare services. Urgent access to mental health support that is competent to meet the needs of young transgender people is needed.

Key Points

High levels of distress are experienced by young transgender people accessing gender-affirming healthcare services in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Even higher levels of distress were reported by young transgender people in a community study that reported an unmet need for hormones.
Education for primary care on the health needs of transgender young people and clear referral pathways for accessing specialist gender-affirming healthcare services are needed.
Increased access to mental health support is urgently needed to address the high levels of psychological distress reported by transgender young people.

Journal/
conference: NZMJ

Organisation/s: University of Auckland, University of Waikato, Auckland Sexual Health Service

Funder: N/A

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