Gender identity, diversity and dysphoria: supporting your child

Gender-diverse children and teenagers do well with support from parents, family and communities.

You can support children by embracing their gender identity and listening to what being gender diverse means to them.

Trying to change children’s minds about their gender or stop them from expressing themselves can be harmful.

For children and teenagers who have gender dysphoria, affirming their gender identity can help reduce distress.

See our website for a range of resources and information to support parents, family and communities, including:

– Gender identify: supporting children
– When your child tells you about their gender identity
– When you want to raise gender identity with your child
– Talking with your child about their gender identity
– Talking about telling others about gender identity
– Supporting your child to affirm their gender
– If your child is affirming their gender: working with schools and clubs
– Gender identity, gender dysphoria and mental health

If your child tells you they keep thinking about self-harm or suicide, seek urgent professional help. Call Lifeline on 131 114, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also call 000 or go straight to a hospital emergency department.

Updated: 09/06/2021

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