Writers’ Club #7 - Mental Health In The Transgender Community

Include this article in your Skills Builder Journal. It could help you develop... 

A little while ago, we held a competition to create a new club of writers. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing you to our winners, and the entries they submitted that got them their spot! This entry was submitted by Jay and gives some useful tips about protecting your mental health as a young transgender person…

In recent news, there have been talks about too much leeway being given to the rights of the young transgender population in the country. But who is really to decide what is best for a suffering minority?

I’m writing this for those who witness the news every day, follow the stories, and fear the future because of it. This is to reassure you that you do not have to suffer in silence or worry on your own, that good will always triumph over evil and love will beat the hate! 

Young transgender people should not be discriminated against for their age. Many young people are being refused treatments or messed around with wait times purely because until their eighteenth birthday, it is thought that they cannot possibly have a valid opinion on themselves or what they want.  Being transgender has been pushed under the rug as ‘just a phase’ or ‘following a trend’. This is not okay! People questioning the reliability of your situation based on your age is an infuriating obstacle to face, as if turning eighteen suddenly enforces all your past judgements with evidence and proof. 

The desperate need for validation in the trans community tears a hole in its progress, from medicine to other people’s opinions.  This pause in progress means longer waiting lists, expensive private care, and procedures that can take even longer. And as the science behind the medical transition is not yet fully developed, it can mean that treatments can cause immense fluctuations and have the potential to make certain situations worse.

However, we must look on the bright side. This is an experience that you will only have to go through once in your life. The anxious waiting and praying will lead you on a journey where you will make friends and allies you can rely on. This experience will prove that you have strengths in ways you would not initially consider, testing your mental endurance and pushing you to your limits. It will strengthen your character and resolve as a person, and you will become a beacon of the future, proof that with enough fight, anything is possible. 

You will be happy. If not now, then in the near future.

Change is upon us. Societal standards and social norms are always changing, and becoming more up-to-date. Acceptance is trending and the world could always use a bit more love. 

Something you could do to help out other young trans people in your area is to start up a youth community. It could be a place to vent your frustrations with people who actually understand the situation and not an outsider who doesn’t get the true hardships or consequences of living with dysphoria. You could also educate people within your school about the impact of gender assumption and the importance of learning pronouns. Or start fundraisers to help LGBTQ+ charities, or those going through a private transition. By increasing support of the transgender community, as daunting as it may seem, you are bettering the world and heightening the acceptance of transgender people. These may seem like menial things, but they will add up and help us achieve complete acceptance, as well as better healthcare. 

Being an activist in your community will encourage social validation. By informing those around you of the changing world and educating the ignorant on what being transgender really means, it will positivly impact the community as a whole, whether instantly or over a period of time. 

Above all else, put yourself first. For just a minute of your day, stop caring what other people think, ignore the haters, and love yourself! Because in reality, you are your one true constant and if you can’t accept yourself then how can you expect others to accept you too? By accepting and loving yourself, you are halfway to your happy future. You’re setting an example for the new normal and you’re showing people how the world should be. 

Your mental wellbeing is the most important thing you have, so it’s okay to not feel okay on some days and to need a break from the world. It’s okay to separate yourself for a couple of hours and to just chill yourself out. You’re only human and the weight of the world doesn’t have to rest on your shoulders. You just have to remember that people love you no matter what and although they might not always see eye-to-eye with you, they will always be by your side and support you if you need it. 

Check out some of our other Writers’ Club winning submissions! Here’s Simran’s piece on exploring what it means to be a woman of Sikh faith and Elise’s piece on how our world draws on The Lorax.

If you want to learn how to become a better Ally to the Trans community give this piece by Mermaids a read. If you have concerns about your mental wellbeing; you can contact The Mix who offer free information and mental health support to under 25s or contact Childline for free on 0800 1111 or via www.childline.org.uk.