Recent research found that those who received gender-affirming care experienced a 40% decline in various mental health symptoms and illnesses like depression, suicidal ideations, anxiety, etc.
Gender-affirming care has also proven to be beneficial in more ways than one. It helps in improving self-esteem, self-image, confidence, self-acceptance, and much more. If you are someone who is having issues with the gender you have been assigned at birth and want to amend things, the best way to go about it is by receiving gender-affirming care.
It’s so sad that even today the Trans youth is dealing with a lot of stigma and discrimination. The struggle just doesn’t stop, right? First there is a struggle with understanding who you really identify with and then you have to fight all odds to be in a body that you really feel comfortable with and even after that the society doesn’t show much mercy.
Well, society does take a long time to change but that doesn’t mean we keep struggling. There is something you can do for yourself, gender affirming care for Trans youth is one of the best ways you can give yourself a happy and healthy life. Let’s get to know more about gender affirming care…
What Is The Meaning Of Gender Affirming Care?
Gender Affirming Care Definition- The World Health Organization (WHO) defines gender-affirming care as, “a range of social, psychological, behavioral, and medical interventions
Designed to support and affirm an individual’s gender identity when it conflicts with the gender they were assigned at birth.”
Gender affirming care basically is the care one requires before, during and after one chooses or not to be in a body they resonate with or continue with the body they have. Gender-affirming care encompasses all aspects of life; medical (mental and physical health), Legal (rights) and social (support).
Gender affirming care includes various interventions that help the transgender population to reach a state of equilibrium. The gender affirming care interventions focus on your emotional, personal and biological needs.
What Does Gender Affirming Care Mean In Terms of Your Mental & Emotional Health?
Gender identity issues begin disturbing an individual during their early childhood. You don’t feel aligned with your inner self and your outer self. This can create a lot of confusion and chaos in a Trans child’s mind, having a direct impact on their mental health.
When mental health is concerned, gender affirming care comes in the form of gender affirming therapy. Gender affirming therapy can be availed by anyone who identifies as a man, woman, gender fluid, a combination of both man and woman or identifies neither a man nor a woman.
Here are a few ways gender-affirming care benefits you;
Decrease mental illness symptoms
Increases self-worth, making you more confident and happy in life
Resolves self-image issues
Reduces suicidal rate in trans youth
Increase self-acceptance
Resolves internal conflicts
Helps in a smooth transition
Makes you feel happy in your skin (modified or not)
Provides support
There are various mental health benefits of gender-affirming care through therapy. But there is one drawback, finding a gender affirming therapist can be a task. You can ask your therapist (if you are already visiting one) to provide you gender affirming care as well. If that doesn’t work, don’t you worry because Calm Sage always has a solution for you?
Click here – How to Find an LGBTQ Friendly Therapist Online? to find your perfect match!
What Kind Of Gender Affirming Care For Trans Youth Can You Expect?
Well, you cannot confine any kind of care to a boundary. Likewise, Gender affirming care can come in any form to you. The aim of that care should be affirming your gender identity and helping you increase your quality of life.
Having said that, there are a few things you can expect out of gender-affirming care for Trans you and that is;
Provide you with gender-affirming environment
Help you deal with psychological distress
Helps with gender dysphoria
Counseling sessions for the trans population & their families
Helps with the changes you make in your outward gender representation
Provides speech therapy to help it match with your gender identity
Physical treatments and procedures to make you feel comfortable as your mental and physical self finally become one.
Hormone-related therapies
That’s All Folks!
I hope you found this blog about gender affirming care interesting, informative and thought provoking. Gender affirming care is very helpful for the transgender population because it addresses all aspect of your life and help you cope well. Do share this blog with your friends and family, especially your transgender friends so that we all know the benefits of gender-affirming care and can avail it as well.
Thanks for reading.
Happy Pride!
Take care and stay safe.
The post What Is Gender Affirming Care? Why is Gender Affirming Care Important appeared first on Calm Sage – Your Guide to Mental and Emotional Well-being.