Transgender Adolescent School Climate, Mental Health, and Adult Social Support

Despite well-established health disparities between transgender and cisgender youth, state bills restricting gender-inclusive school supports and health care have dramatically expanded since 2019. While parental support for transgender youth strengthens healthy development, unsupportive parents contribute to suicidality and homelessness. This study examines (1) whether school climate and health gender inequities hold in Wisconsin, a politically contested state without nondiscrimination or bullying legislative protections for transgender youth, and (2) gender differences among adolescents who sought help when depressed or anxious.