: Major medical organizations support age-appropriate gender-affirming care as a way to improve mental health outcomes [23, 25]. Longitudinal studies suggest that adolescents who receive this care report higher body satisfaction and better psychological function as they enter adulthood [26].
Transgender youth face significantly higher rates of mental health struggles compared to their cisgender peers, often attributed to from bullying and lack of acceptance [22, 19].
: High levels of family support are linked to increased self-esteem and serve as a "protective factor" against substance abuse and suicidal ideation [4, 1]. Conversely, youth facing hostility at home are at much higher risk of homelessness [1].