Please treat me with kindness and care, as I don't know how to say this properly. My son (16) was not well mentally last year, self harming and just being lost and feeling uncared for (that hurt to hear).  COVID lockdowns were awful for his mental health over years.  He said yesterday he wishes he was a girl.  My problem is that I don't think he is trans but it is massively unacceptable to even think that let alone say it.  You see, his best friend came out as trans about 18m ago (mtf) and this is really his only close friend (who is a totally person we like very much).  I think my son is unhappy with himself in many ways and is a bit lost, seeking to learn who he is - things that are really common in teenagers.  I know his friend has said that she feels much better now living as a girl and has specifically said to my son that this solve things for him.   There's never been any previous mention of discomfort with gender/body/identity pre-puberty and I just don't know that this is right for him.  I feel he does need further mental health support (we went to counselling last year as a family) but I worry that he's almost 'latched on' to a solution presented by someone who he respects and likes very much.  It is so socially unacceptable to even question if someone is trans or not so there's no wayI could say this in real life.  I just don't know what to think, or do, or say. ... View more