Your child is on a beautiful journey towards living as their authentic self. However, just like raising any child, it may also include some challenges alongside the joys, especially if they are not supported in some of their environments. They may worry about where they ‘fit in’ and feel anxious, distressed and alone. Bullying is often aimed at transgender, gender-creative, and same-sex attracted people. This can be a stressful time for your child and, if it is ongoing, can increase their risk for mental health challenges such as depression and eating disorders. 

A trans or gender-creative child may also experience a feeling of distress because the sex they were assigned at birth doesn’t match their gender identity. This is called gender dysphoria.   
 

The following are some signs of distress. Your child may:

• feel uncomfortable or upset about parts of their body that don't match their gender identity
• withdraw from others, or lose interest in usual activities
• feel constantly tired or experience changes in usual sleeping patterns
• seem anxious, irritable, or restless, or express feelings of worry or hopelessness
• self-harm or have suicidal thoughts
• experience unexplained stomach aches, headaches or other physical symptoms 
   

You may not be able to stop the distress your child is experiencing, but showing unconditional love, support and acceptance will help. Having families, peers, schools, and communities that support gender creative and trans children and youth can protect them against poor mental health and support their overall well-being. Some ways to do this include:
 

• Create a supportive home and environment. This will decrease the worry a child may experience. It gives them a safe space to be who they are, even if the society or others around them don’t fully accept them.
   
  • For Indigenous and Two-Spirit children and families, connection to culture, elders, community and land-based healing all play an important role.
     
• Advocate for your child. For example:
   
  • use inclusive language (for example: partner instead of girlfriend or boyfriend)
  • speak up if you hear people saying unkind things about trans or gender-creative children (or the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in general)
  • connect your child with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations, resources and events
  • for Indigenous families, connect your child with culturally-relevant resources and elders
  • connect your child with support services
     
• Support your child at school. For example:
   
  • find out what Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) inclusive education looks like in their school
  • work with the school to develop a School Gender Support Plan
  • learn about trans student’s rights in BC