You Are Not Alone: Self-Care Tips and Resources for Trans Folx
Here at NEDA, we find it vital to recognize the unique experiences of individuals from marginalized communities who are affected by eating disorders. In today’s difficult climate, we’ve compiled a list of helpful resources, support posts, and self-care tips catered to our transgender and non-binary friends.
Self-Care Tips:
1. Stay self-aware. Be conscious of how you are feeling and what your needs are today. If you need support, reach out to loved ones or any of the resources below. If you need alone time, snuggle up in bed with a good book or movie and relax. Listen to your body and your mind to find what needs to be fulfilled!
2. Unplug! If the additional toxins of the internet are getting you down, it’s okay to take a step back to preserve your mental health! Even if you just take a few hours out of your day to be present in the world, interact with others, or uplift yourself, stepping back from social media and the like can help keep you positive and more balanced.
3. Fill your time with people and activities that boost your self-esteem. There is no reason to continue engaging with people and enacting in recreations that are harmful to you. It is MORE than okay to detach from toxic people who are not contributing positivity to your live, and it’s encouraged to drop interests or events that don’t bring up your mood. Make sure the social groups and sidelines you are a part of are adding to your life, as opposed to bringing it down.
4. Explore your identity. Style yourself in any way that makes you feel good. Experiment with a new hobby. Join a community that fits your interests, online or in your local city. “Living life to the fullest” means something different to everyone. For some, that means travelling and trying new things. For others, that means putting on makeup, getting dressed up, and feeling yourself. Gaining confidence may take time, but owning who you are is a massive buffer to life’s daily stresses.
5. Follow other trans/non-binary folk! There are so many crucial voices that speak about trans rights and awareness. Keeping likeminded people on your feed can provide comfort and a sense of belonging to a bigger movement. Some trans influencers you may want to check out are Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, Aydian Dowling, Carmen Carrera, or Jazz Jennings.
Resources:
Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations
FEDUP, formlerly TTFED, is an organization that recognize the intersections between gender sexual diversity and eating disorders, and offers support to those in need of help/awareness for these issues.
The Trevor Project is an organization that offers crisis intervention and suicide prevention to LGBTQ+ teens and young adults. They offer a helpline, online chat, and text support to best fit your personal needs. Call The Trevor Project at (866)-488-7386.
Trans Lifeline is a helpline dedicated to the wellbeing of trans people. It is staffed by transgender people for transgender people! Call Trans Lifeline at (877) 565-8860 (US) (877) 330-6366 (CA).
The LGBT National Help center offers support to LGBTQ+ individuals of all ages through helplines, support chats, and counseling resources.
Call GLBT Youth Talkline for youth under the age of 25 at (800)246-PRIDE (7743) (US)
Call GLBTHotline for youth and adults at (888) 843-4564 (US)
Call Sage LGBT Elder Hotline for elderly at (888) 234-SAGE (7243) (US)
National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center at Fenway Health
Fenway Health provides trained volunteers that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community in order to help those looking for information or resources on the phone or online
Call LGBT Helpline for people 25 and over at (888) 340-4528
Call Peer Listening Helpline for people under 25 at (800) 339-PEER (7337)
Trans Youth Equality Foundation
TYEF is an organization providing trans youth, families, and educator with support services and informative resources related to trans issues. They have a list of helpful books, information on transitioning, legal options, and more.
Trans Student Educational Resources
TSER is a youth organization dedicated to aiding trans students with advocacy, awareness, and empowerment in the academic world, ultimately making it a safer and more equal place. They have a master list of websites for support, other helpful organizations, medical resources, conferences/camps, and more to assist the fight for equality.
Support Posts:
Over the years, NEDA has have some amazing trans guest writers who speak about the unique experience of being trans and also suffering from an eating disorder. If you are looking for some reading to identify with, we would recommend these posts.
Dear Chase: My Parents Believe That Being Trans and Having an Eating Disorder are Choices. Help!
Shining a Light on Gender Identity and Eating Disorders
Dear Melody: Can I Separate My Gender Identity from My Body Image Issues?
Fighting Against Self: A Queer Transman’s Journey Away from ED
This Gendered Body: Living with an Eating Disorder and Finding My Voice as a Queer Nonbinary Person
Decentering the Narrative: Trans Folks, Body Image, and ED
Existing as a Trans Person with an Eating Disorder
Trans Stories Have Power: An Interview with Sam Dylan Finch
