This investigation examined needs and concerns of transgender youth and their families throughout the island of Newfoundland. Twenty-four youth and 21 parents completed qualitative questionnaires. Both parent and youth participants expressed concern about general practitioners’ lack of knowledge of transgender healthcare. Trans youths’ main concerns included lack of parental support, feelings of dysphoria, the desire to be fully accepted, and safety. Parents’ main concerns included wait times for care, their child’s mental health, lack of information or guidance, safety, and depathologizing their children’s identities. The findings point to six key recommendations for healthcare providers and policymakers.

As clinicians at a university-affiliated health centre faced with youth mental health and substance use concerns, we reached out to the local community for guidance. We partnered with community leaders to explore how to best understand the issues and engage with the community. Using a community-engaged research (CEnR) approach, we conducted a needs assessment to explore the issues and inform change. We formalised a partnership with the local school and community board, which led to the creation of a Community Alliance. Our engagement efforts allowed us to understand the community more deeply and establish more effective change. Our most successful outcome was the development of a youth mental health and wellness Action Plan which helped direct our strategies moving forward. This article highlights our community engagement activities, processes and lessons learned, which may be of benefit to other academic researchers and clinicians who are interested in CEnR.