Building a support network for your gender diverse child

Gender diverse children and young people are at greater risk of negative mental health outcomes than their peers. This is not due to their gender diversity but is a result of the ways those around them might respond to or support them. Gender diverse children and young people experience higher rates of bullying, harassment, discrimination and abuse.   

For all children, their environment, relationships and other supports are vital in shaping their mental health and wellbeing. Having a supportive network can significantly reduce the risk of negative mental health outcomes, like self-harm and suicidal ideation, for gender diverse children and young people. Supportive networks can stretch beyond a child’s parents, extended family, friends and school community to include supportive practitioners and services.     

In this episode, guest host Nicole Rollbusch talks to Arianne, a parent of six children between the ages of eight and 22 years. While supporting her child through coming out and transitioning, Arianne and her daughter found their social and family supports significantly challenged. Arianne took on an active role in supporting her child in her journey, and her other children in theirs, as the whole family experienced a transition. While acknowledging that each family’s experience is different, Arianne shares her family’s journey through supporting their daughter and sister, the challenge of navigating support services, and the benefits of creating strong support networks around the whole family. 

This podcast includes mentions of suicidal ideation. If listening to this podcast brings up any difficult feelings for you, please seek help from your mental health professional or one of these crisis or support services.

In this episode you will learn about:

• What preteen children may experience when exploring their gender, including the impacts on their mental health and wellbeing [04:22].
• The influence of parents, extended family and community on the wellbeing of gender diverse children [08:25].
• The challenges children and families can face in accessing gender-affirming support services [17:39].  

Further information and resources: 

Supporting children and young people who identify as gender diverse (podcast episode for families).

Transcend Australia: An organisation supporting Australian families and trans, gender diverse and non-binary children and young people.

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia: An organisation supporting healthy LGBTQI+, gender diverse and bodily diverse people throughout Australia.