Gender Affirming Care In Los Angeles

Gender-Affirming Care At Launch Centers

According to a study conducted by UCLA’s Williams Institute in 2022, over 1.6 million people aged 13 years or older identify as transgender. With over 1.6 million individuals in the United States identifying as transgender, it is clear that gender-affirming care contributes to positive mental health outcomes for all demographics.

Currently, multiple states have a law or policy banning gender-affirming care, and there are more states considering a law or policy banning the care. These laws and policies have taken different forms, including outright bans on gender-affirming medical treatments for minors, requirements for parental consent or court orders, and penalties for healthcare providers who provide gender-affirming care to minors.

Our treatment center’s goal is to support transgender and nonbinary individuals by respecting their gender identity, using preferred pronouns and names, and providing social support to help them focus on social transitions and feel connected, validated, and empowered. Launch Centers does not directly provide hormone therapy, puberty blockers, or gender-affirming surgery, but we are more than happy to help clients find those resources.

Gender-Affirming Care & Mental Health

Gender-affirming care and mental health support are key components to providing positive mental health outcomes for transgender and nonbinary youth. These individuals often experience mental health challenges due to societal stigma, discrimination, and difficulties related to gender identity and expression.

According to a survey by the American Journal of Public Health, 44.1% of transgender individuals experienced clinical depression due to the stigma they faced, while 33.2% experienced anxiety due to the same reason. Another study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that transgender youth who did not have access to gender-affirming medical care had a 4 times higher risk of attempting suicide than those who did receive gender-affirming care.

This is often attributed to factors such as increased exposure to trauma, lack of family support, and higher rates of homelessness. Poor mental health can also lead to risky behaviors such as drug abuse. As the rates of mental health disorders increase, addiction rates tend to follow suit.

Gender afferming care
Gender affirming therapy

Gender-Affirming Therapy At Launch Centers

Our approach to supporting mental health in LGBTQ+ individuals is through gender-affirming therapy, which helps individuals explore and affirm their gender identity without trying to “repair” it. Gender-affirming therapy aims to address core themes commonly experienced by transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals.

These themes include trauma resulting from societal transphobia, shame and anxiety related to feeling flawed or different, depression due to lack of support, self-harm and suicidal ideation, violence, and struggles with sexual orientation.

Gender-affirming therapy can help reduce suicidal ideation and other mental health concerns by affirming an individual’s gender identity, providing support and validation, and helping individuals develop coping strategies for navigating the challenges of gender dysphoria and discrimination.

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Addiction Rates Among Transgender Youth

Transgender individuals face heavy burdens due to the stigmatization of mental illness and gender nonconformity in society. As a result, they may internalize these negative views and avoid seeking help, engaging in substance abuse to cope with mental health issues.

According to research, substance use disorders (SUDs) are much more prevalent among transgender individuals than among cisgender individuals. For instance, compared to cisgender individuals, drug use was 3.6 times higher among transgender individuals. Transgender individuals also had significantly higher rates of marijuana-related SUDs (5 times), cocaine SUDs (4 times), and opioid SUDs (3 times).

Additionally, a study found that 47% of transgender adults reported binge drinking in the previous three months, compared to 17% of the general population. Furthermore, younger transgender adults (aged 18-25) are more likely than older transgender people and cisgender people of all ages to have any type of SUD except nicotine-related SUDs.

Local & Online Gender-Affirming Care Resources

Change your entire life for the better at Launch Centers Treatment Program in Los Angeles, CA.

Mental Health + Substance Abuse Treatment in Los Angeles