Mental Health Week
ACTION NEEDED NOW ON TRANSGENDER HEALTH AND WELLBEING
With Mental Health Week commencing on October 5, Transgender Victoria has called on both state and federal parliamentarians to act so as to improve the mental health and wellbeing of transgender people.
“Legislative reform alone is not enough,” commented spokesperson Sally Goldner. “It is now vital for adequately funded services to provide education and information so as to prevent detrimental treatment on the basis of gender identity, as well as to ensure a swift response exists for those people requiring urgent services”.
“Further, evidence shows a clear link between discrimination and health outcomes for other groups e, g, Writing Themselves in Again, VicHealth research”.
“Given that the TranZnation report found 87% of transgender people had experienced discrimination in some form, there is clearly a need for preventative measures in tackling discrimination on the basis of gender identity.”
“TranZnation also found significant evidence of suicide risk and depression for transgender people and this alone is a cause for prompt action. We believe the following measures could greatly improve the mental health (as part of the overall health and wellbeing) of transgender people”:
“State level
• The establishment of a gender centre to provide education and support, resulting in both preventative action and urgent responses;
• Homophobic harassment legislation to prevent violence and other significant abuses against transgender people;
Federal level
• Federal Equal Opportunity Law protecting transgender people;
• Ending of discrimination in relation to Medicare from the most basic health needs through to those requiring surgery.
Joint measures
• A uniform approach to documentation e.g. changes to birth certificates to reduce any distress and discrimination resulting from documentation that differs from a personís affirmed gender identity.”
For more information contact Sally Goldner on 0407 946 242.
“Legislative reform alone is not enough,” commented spokesperson Sally Goldner. “It is now vital for adequately funded services to provide education and information so as to prevent detrimental treatment on the basis of gender identity, as well as to ensure a swift response exists for those people requiring urgent services”.
“Further, evidence shows a clear link between discrimination and health outcomes for other groups e, g, Writing Themselves in Again, VicHealth research”.
“Given that the TranZnation report found 87% of transgender people had experienced discrimination in some form, there is clearly a need for preventative measures in tackling discrimination on the basis of gender identity.”
“TranZnation also found significant evidence of suicide risk and depression for transgender people and this alone is a cause for prompt action. We believe the following measures could greatly improve the mental health (as part of the overall health and wellbeing) of transgender people”:
“State level
• The establishment of a gender centre to provide education and support, resulting in both preventative action and urgent responses;
• Homophobic harassment legislation to prevent violence and other significant abuses against transgender people;
Federal level
• Federal Equal Opportunity Law protecting transgender people;
• Ending of discrimination in relation to Medicare from the most basic health needs through to those requiring surgery.
Joint measures
• A uniform approach to documentation e.g. changes to birth certificates to reduce any distress and discrimination resulting from documentation that differs from a personís affirmed gender identity.”
For more information contact Sally Goldner on 0407 946 242.
