Mark Linn – News Editor
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As part of its continued effort to expand awareness and resources for LGBT students, leaders of Student Health and Student Services are taking steps to ensure that members of the UAB community that identify as transgender or gender nonconforming have access to resources and support.
In September UAB medical support providers and student service leaders attended the Supporting Trans Students mini-conference, the first of its kind at an Alabama college.
“This kind of health model would mean that transgender students have the opportunity for the full range of primary care and mental health services provided by medical and mental health professionals who are trained and competent in working with transgender students,” Angela Stowe, Ph.D., the Director of the Student Health and Wellness Counseling Center, said. “For health, this would not only include an ability to work with the unique sexual health needs, but to also be able to provide safe, non judgmental, compassionate care for any primary health concern such as flu shots or help for a sore throat.”
Perceived stigma is a real problem for many transgender-identifying students when seeking counseling or medical treatment. According to a study done in 2013 by the Healthy Minds Network, 45.3 percent of transgender students said that the reason they hadn’t sought care was because services weren’t sensitive enough to sexual identity issues . Another 28.2 percent said that they were worried that someone would notify their parents, compared to 10 percent of non-transgender students.
One of the goals of Student Health Awareness is to make students aware of campus resources avaliable to them.
“Mental health services are available for students through Health Services and include a transgender support group as well as individual counseling with therapists who are trained and knowledgeable about transgender health and who are committed to providing a safe space for students to talk about their mental health concerns, whether it is directly related to gender identity or some other concern,” Stowe said.
Other resources for transgender students at UAB are available through the Gender and Sexuality Diversity office. They provide social opportunities, student organizations and programs for all students, including transgender students. They also work with administration on campus to advocate for policy and practices that are transgender-inclusive, such as gender neutral restrooms on campus and the use of preferred names in all aspects of campus life.
Student Services has another mini-conference scheduled on Nov. 4, which is intended to coordinate efforts to provide services, programs and support to transgender students. These plans may include additional training for student services staff and developing faculty resources.
