Psychosocial support is an essential component of the care provided to trans and gender diverse individuals. Although the need for support varies, it should be provided starting from the assessment and maintained throughout the gender-affirmation process, tailored to the individual’s biopsychosocial condition. This core element of gender-related health services has always been emphasized (1); however, with the recent global trend in limiting access to TGD care, it should be emphasized even more, especially in youth. Perceived and enacted support in diverse social domains has an important influence on individuals’ well-being and enhances resilience in hostile social contexts with pervasive stigma and discrimination (2, 3). TGD individuals have been reported to have less social support compared to the population (4). Parents’ and other family members’ attitudes have a substantial impact on TGD individuals, especially youth. These attitudes can be threatening or the primary source of oppression and violence, in the early period of gender exploration or identity disclosure. In later ages, losing family relationships can be an important burden for the individual. Therefore, for TGD individuals of all ages, mental health professionals’ assistance to the individual and family members in protecting, improving, and strengthening family relations and functions is a valuable effort (5). Diverse methods of assistance could be employed flexibly to provide care for parents, children, and partners of TGD individuals.

1. Coleman, E., et al. (2022). Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8. International journal of transgender health, 23(Suppl 1), S1–S259. DOI: 10.1080/26895269.2022.2100644
2. Başar, K., & Öz, G. (2016). Resilience in Individuals with Gender Dysphoria: Association with Perceived Social Support and Discrimination.  Turkish journal of psychiatry, 27(4), 225–234.
3. Başar, K., et al. (2016). Perceived Discrimination, Social Support, and Quality of Life in Gender Dysphoria. The journal of sexual medicine, 13(7), 1133–1141. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.04.071
4. Kaptan, S., et al. (2021). Gender Dysphoria and Perceived Social Support: A Matched Case-Control Study. The journal of sexual medicine, 18(4), 812–820. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.01.174
5. Malpas, J., et al. (2022). Family-Based Interventions with Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth: Systematic Review and Best Practice Recommendations. Transgender health, 7(1), 7–29. DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2020.0165