Transgender youth hit by lack of services

As the number of Irish children seeking medical help over gender identity rises nine-fold, support groups and families say children’s distress is being exacerbated by the lack of a treatment framework here.

Despite growing acceptance, research shows the transgender community is at greater risk of stress, self- harm, bullying, isolation, and depression, and transgender children often have a complex range of needs.

Between April 2015 and April 2016, 27 Irish children were referred to the UK’s Tavistock and Portman Foundation NHS Trust in London for help while, in 2012/2013, that figure stood at just three.