UNC Hospitals Fail to Provide Gender-Affirming Treatment for Trans Youth
Desperate for Answers
Callum Bradford, a transgender teen, spent four agonizing days in the psychiatric emergency room of UNC Hospitals, waiting for a crucial question to be answered: “Will I be placed in a girls’ unit?” The devastating answer provoked an intense anxiety attack for Callum, who sobbed as he informed his parents. Despite their efforts to reverse the decision, Callum found himself facing the same situation months later when he was back in the emergency room after an overdose.
Political Debate and Medical Consequences
As the debate over healthcare for transgender youth rages on, opponents of gender-affirming medical procedures often claim that parents are acting against their children’s best interests. However, major medical associations emphasize the safety of these treatments and warn of severe mental health consequences for children who are forced to wait for access to hormone therapy and surgeries. LGBTQ+ high school students already face higher rates of attempted suicide, and delaying their treatment only exacerbates this crisis.
Lack of Uniform Standards and Resources
North Carolina lacks uniform treatment standards for transgender children in hospitals, and the state faces a shortage of funds and staff trained to provide proper care for these individuals. Dr. Jack Turban, a renowned expert, emphasizes the importance of validating a trans identity from the beginning, as failing to do so worsens mental health. Despite North Carolina allocating funds to bolster mental health infrastructure, none of the money has been specifically allocated to meet the needs of transgender patients.
Insufficient Beds and Referrals
The nationwide shortage of pediatric psychiatric beds has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. UNC, short by approximately 400 youth psychiatric beds, is forced to refer patients to other facilities, even if they cannot cater to specific gender-affirming needs. Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, chair of the UNC Department of Psychiatry, acknowledges the challenge of meeting the goal of assigning beds based on a patient’s self-identified gender when feasible.
Identity-Based Discrimination
Denying transgender individuals access to gender-affirming room assignments is considered identity-based discrimination by organizations like Lambda Legal. Parents, like Callum’s father, Dan Bradford, express feelings of helplessness when their children receive involuntary psychiatric care. Dan, a psychiatrist himself, fully supports his son’s medical transition, recognizing the life-saving impact it has had. However, North Carolina law restricts the provision of hormones, puberty blockers, and gender-transition surgeries to individuals under 18.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the challenges faced by Callum and others, there is optimism for change. With new resources and policy changes, it is possible to provide a more gender-affirming experience for transgender individuals seeking mental health care. Callum, now focusing on his future and taking care of his mental health, hopes that others can have a similar experience and find happiness.
