Trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) children and adolescents face a disproportionately high risk of mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviors. In recent years, their care and protection have become the focus of intense political and societal debate, particularly regarding the evidence base for psychological and medical interventions. Within this polarized climate, TGNC youth and their families are often caught between conflicting perspectives, while their need for emotional support, social recognition, and reliable evidence-based information remains both urgent and legitimate. These challenges are embedded in structural inequities rooted in historical, legal, and cultural systems, which call for concrete state responses grounded in social justice and human rights. This article examines the Gender Identity Support Program (PAIG in Spanish) in Chile, implemented nationally since 2022, as a pioneering public policy initiative explicitly designed to support TGNC children, adolescents, and their families. The paper describes the legal and institutional framework underpinning the program, its guiding principles, core intervention strategies, and the main challenges encountered during its implementation. In addition, it discusses the program’s strengths, as well as structural and political vulnerabilities that may threaten its long-term sustainability. By presenting PAIG as a case study, this article contributes to the international discussion on how public policies can effectively address the mental health needs and social inequities affecting TGNC youth, highlighting the role of state-level interventions in promoting inclusion, well-being, and equity for gender-diverse populations.
Martinez C, Paiva I, & Salas S (2026) Chilean gender identity support program in children and adolescents: review of a public health policy. Front. Public Health 14:1832067. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1832067
