Presently, mental health providers have little or no education about the specific needs of transgender clients. Challenges facing transgender people include:

• The lack of insurance coverage for sex reassignment surgery (SRS), hormone replacement therapy, counseling, and other medical needs often limits a person's ability to obtain medical intervention necessary for positive mental health. This frequently results in depression, hopelessness, and other mental health concerns that could be avoided with appropriate medical treatment.
  
  
• Rejection from families and friends leaves transgender youth especially at risk for homelessness and more likely to engage in prostitution, unsafe sexual practices, and substance abuse.
  
  

The transgender population has a similar rate of mental health concerns as the general population. Identification as transgender does not imply mental illness. Many transgender people have no incidence of mental health issues. Our concern is for those who identify as transgender and do have mental health concerns.