Summary

This Report, a qualitative study led by Dr. Kristopher Wells and colleagues at MacEwan University, explores the experiences of trans and non-binary (TNB) youth in Alberta, focusing on safety, mental health, education, and healthcare.

Based on interviews with 25 TNB youth (ages 14-25), the study highlights both supportive elements and ongoing challenges around safety, health care, mental health, and schools. Findings reveal that youth face barriers to timely gender-affirming care, leading to emotional distress and increased reliance on peers or online resources, while friend and community supports offer critical affirmation in face of limited systemic support.

Policy & Practice Implications

• Policymakers can gain insight into the safety, systemic, and policy challenges facing TNB youth in Alberta, fostering the development of more inclusive policies.
• Lived experiences shared, especially in the mental health, school, and healthcare sections, can support healthcare providers in creating more inclusive and welcoming services.
• Community organizations can learn about the specific challenges faced by TNB youth in Alberta and use this information to design programs that promote safety, mental health support, and access to affirming resources.

Image source:  https://www.macewan.ca/c/documents/dr-kristopher-wells-tnb-youth-alberta-report.pdf /