This guide from the ACT Government and LGBTIQ+ Health Australia member Meridian Health is designed to support providers of mental health care to be able to deliver their services in a gender-affirming way to support the needs of trans and/or gender diverse people.
Mental health support is something that people of all genders may need at some point in their lives. Nearly 1 in 5 people in Australia will experience some form of mental health condition in the next year, a number that is expected to be even higher for trans and/or gender diverse people. When trans and/or gender diverse people require mental health support from General Practitioners (GPs) or mental health specialists, it is often for similar needs that any person may require: however sometimes it will be associated with their specific experiences of being trans and/or gender diverse.
Trans and/or gender diverse people face significant barriers in navigating the medical and mental health systems. Trans and/or gender diverse people report receiving better mental health care experiences when the practitioner is knowledgeable about gender diverse and transgender health care. However, currently in Australia there are more trans people than our trans-friendly healthcare providers can serve. This is where you and your service can help. There is a need to increase the number of health professionals and services who have the skills required to serve trans and/or gender diverse populations.
This guide is designed to support providers of mental health care to be able to deliver their services in a gender affirming way to support the needs of trans and/or gender diverse people.
