Transgender kids are less likely than others to feel supported. Here are places that can help.

Transgender kids are more likely than their peers to experience bullying, exclusion and a lack of support from the adults in their lives, all of which leads to an increased risk of poor mental health, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Everything is so connected, and if you’re not being supported at home or school or work, it will take a toll on your mental health,” said Desmond, a 23-year-old trans man. “If you already have struggles you’re working on, it will be harder to work on those. You’re going to be down on yourself, and that, in turn, makes everything else harder to deal with.”

Erica Steib is the coordinator of Project PRISM, a mental health resource for Wisconsin LGBTQ+ youth. She said trans people's mental health struggles are often as a result of the current political environment in which hundreds of antitrans bills have been introduced in state and local governments throughout the country, many of which have become law.

“At the root of the anxiety and depression that queer and trans youth are feeling are these attacks on their right to use the bathroom, to have their pronouns respected,” Steib said. “Even if a kid is in a school where that hasn’t happened, it’s still the knowledge that it’s happening elsewhere and could happen at any time that creates a lot of stress and an overall inhospitable environment.”

Bex Streit, who leads the Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Program at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, also noted the damage that unsupportive school district policies can inflict. He said that outward signs of support like Pride flags and "safe space" stickers make LGBTQ students feel welcome. When those outward signs are taken away, as they have been in school districts like Waukesha and Oak Creek-Franklin, it makes LGBTQ kids feel like their support has been taken away as well.

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Studies also show that the support of affirming adults improves the mental health of trans kids, with one study finding that transgender youth with at least one supportive adult in their lives are 40% less likely to attempt suicide.

“If they’re not supported in their schools or at home, they can build resilience in places outside school where they can feel safe and supported,” said Chris Allen, the president and CEO of Diverse & Resilient. “Seeing people like them in places of influence, in their communities and in the media, all those small things make people feel like they’re not alone and build resiliency so when they face discrimination and a lack of acceptance, they can have hope.”

Below are places where trans children and adolescents and their families can receive support.

Children’s Wisconsin Gender Health Clinic

At this clinic, children and adolescents with questions about their gender identity and their parents consult with a variety of medical experts, including endocrinologists and psychologists. childrenswi.org/medical-care/endocrine/gender-health-clinic, 414-266-6750

Courage MKE

This organization provides housing, resources and services to displaced and homeless LGBTQ+ youth in Milwaukee. couragemke.org, 414-240-2882

Diverse & Resilient

This is a support and advocacy organization that provides health care, mental health care and resources to members of Milwaukee's LGBTQ+ community. diverseandresilient.org, 414-390-0444

Fair Wisconsin

This advocacy organization lobbies for legislation and policies that support LGBTQ+ people. fairwisconsin.com, 608-441-0143

FORGE

This organization supports trans and nonbinary people as they heal from the trauma they've experienced, and which works to create an affirming society. forge-forward.org, 414-559-2123

Froedtert Hospital Inclusion Health Clinic

At this clinic, LGBTQ+ people consult with a variety of medical professionals to receive affirming care. froedtert.com/lgbtq, 414-777-7700

Gender Spectrum

This organization that works to help people better understand gender inclusivity. genderspectrum.org

GLSEN

This organization encourages safe, inclusive school environments for LGBTQ+ students. glsen.org

GSAFE

This organization encourages safe, inclusive school environments for LGBTQ+ students. gsafewi.org, 608-661-4141

Human Rights Campaign Wisconsin

This organization advocates for fair political representation of LGBTQ+ people and issues. hrc.org/in-your-area/wisconsin, 202-628-4160

LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin

This organization has support groups for LGBTQ+ people and works to educate the public on better inclusion. lgbtsewi.org, 262-664-4100

Milwaukee LGBT Community Center Transgender & Gender-nonconforming Program

This program at the LGBT Community Center offers emotional, mental, legal and financial help for trans people and their families. mkelgbt.org/tgncprogram, 414-271-2656

Milwaukee Public Schools Gender & Identity Inclusion Department

This department within the Milwaukee Public Schools advocates for safe, inclusive and equitable environments and resources for LGBTQ+ students and girls of color. mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/District/About-MPS/Departments/Office-of-School-Administration/Gender-and-Identity-Inclusion.htm, 414-777-7864

Pathways Counseling Center

This mental health clinic is known for expertise in family and child therapy as well as therapy for LGBTQ+ people. pathwayscounseling.com, 262-641-9790

PFLAG Milwaukee

This organization is dedicated to helping people better support their LGBTQ+ family members. pflag.org/chapter/milwaukee/, 414-299-9198

The PRISM Program

This mental wellness resource is dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin by providing a mental health "warmline" staffed by certified peer specialists. mhawisconsin.org/prism, 414-336-7974

Trans Lifeline

This nonprofit organization provides emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis. translifeline.org, 877-565-8860

The Trevor Project

This is a support organization for LGBTQ+ youth. thetrevorproject.org, 212-695-8650

Contact Amy Schwabe at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Resources in southeast Wisconsin for transgender youth