The parents of a transgender teenager who is believed to have killed himself because of his mental health and gender identity issues have called for more support for children and families awaiting care. A jury at the inquest of 15-year-old Jason Pulman concluded in April that systemic failures by a range of services supporting him could have contributed to his death. He was found dead in Hampden Park in Eastbourne on April 19, 2022.
The teenager, who was born a girl, came out as transgender and was referred to the Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) in London in February 2020 by his GP. After following up on its progress in October that year, he was told there was a 26-month wait for his first appointment. Jurors heard how Jason became increasingly frustrated at the wait and his stepfather Mr Pulman noted in the months before his death he appeared to have “given up” in his behaviour to his family and himself.
Speaking four months on from the inquest, and as new figures show more than 5,700 children awaiting appointments with new gender care services in the NHS, Mr Pulman said he believes the numbers are being “hugely underestimated”. He said: “I hope that these families are given faster responses, are given emotional support. I just feel for them.
” But he said he did not want parents and families to feel afraid, saying “suicide is the very worst case”. Mr Pulman added: “I don’t want people to think transgender and suicide are the same thing, because.