Young People who would like support around gender identity
Gender identity is someone’s personal sense of their gender and how they choose to describe their gender. Some examples of how we might describe our gender include: woman, transgender, non-binary, man, or something different. Gender identity is a personal decision.
We know that all young people, particularly adolescents, explore different parts of their identity and who they are. For some, they might want to explore their gender identity and decide that they are a different gender than the sex they were born with. Here are some resources and services for young people and their families to support them along their journey of exploring their gender identity:
- Download the YoungMinds guide for young people on information and advice on gender and mental health: Gender and Mental Health | Support and Advice | YoungMinds
- Download the YoungMinds parents’ guide for young people on information and advice on gender and mental health: Gender Identity & Mental Health | Guide For Parents | YoungMinds
- Call the YoungMinds parent helpline on 0808 802 5544 (9am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday) or use a webchat service: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline-and-webchat/
- Visit the Suffolk Outreach Youth website at https://outreachyouth.org.uk/ which is a small youth work charity that supports and works with young people aged under 25 across Suffolk. You can also text: 07999 730 289 or Email: info@outreachyouth.org.uk
- Outreach Youth runs LGBT*Q+ youth groups, trans*-families group and 1-1 support for young people
- Visit the Gendered Intelligence website which works to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans people: Home | Gendered Intelligence
- Visit the NSPCC website to access advice on gender identity and how to support a child: Gender identity | NSPCC
- If you need further support, your GP may make a referral to the Gender Identity Development Service. You might find the GIDS website useful to read details of the current service offer and access additional resources: https://gids.nhs.uk/