Response 2

 I agree that transgender youths receive unequal healthcare simply because healthcare providers do not recognize their unique needs.  They are discrimination in all aspects of life due to their sexual orientation.  Discrimination affects their life in that they suffer from depression and self-destructive behaviors (Russell & Fish, 2016).  To make the matter worse, they are vulnerable to sexual abuse, and they experience homelessness.  I support your views that this is an issue that needs to be dealt with by creative cohesive plan.  All stakeholders including parents, medical personnel, physicians, community, policymakers, and others should be at the forefront to solve the social inequalities (Russell & Fish, 2016).  Healthcare institutions should conduct a health assessment and provide effective interventions to improve the health of transgender youth.

  I also think that it is important to consider other protective factors to ensure that transgender youth develops as productive adults.  Note that suicidal thoughts, depression, and destructive behaviors are influenced by many factors including exclusion in community, at school and other settings (Russell & Fish, 2016).  Therefore, I think that apart from addressing this issue in a healthcare setting, it is important to build a protective school environment.  I propose that there should be anti-bullying laws in schools to reduce victimization. Secondly, I believe that students-run organizations such as the gay-straight alliance (GSA­) will allow transgender youth to participate in the school-based clubs and they will have self-expression and eventually, the clubs will act as a strategy to reduce prejudice (Russell & Fish, 2016).  In addition, GSA will give transgender youth a sense of belonging and they will engage themselves in constructive things and improve psychological health.  Third, I think that there should be an inclusive curriculum in school to allow transgender youth to engage in interpersonal relationships and develop a sense of safety.  Parents, friends, and the community should offer social support to transgender youth so that they can reduce minority stress, reduce suicide attempts, and develop high self-esteem (Russell & Fish, 2016).  The social support will also encourage the transgender youth to come out and disclose their status and this will lead to psychosocial adjustment

 

Reference

 Russell, S. T., & Fish, J. N. (2016). Mental health in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender

(LGBT) youth. Annual review of clinical psychology, 12, 465-487.