New guidelines for gender-affirming mental health care were launched by ACT Minister for Mental Health, Emma Davidson, during Transgender Awareness Week, 13-19 November.
A collaboration between the ACT Government, A Gender Agenda, and Meridian, the new document was designed to be implemented by all practitioners who provide mental health services in the ACT.
“This won’t be a document that sits on the shelf,” said Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing coordinator-general, Dr Elizabeth Moore.
“People in the trans and gender diverse community have very high levels of psychological distress; some studies suggest three to six times as high as the general population,” Dr Moore said.
The guidelines, built on previous work by A Gender Agenda, were developed through the extensive use of community reference groups, and lists guidance and resources for practitioners supporting an individual seeking to affirm their gender. Dr Moore spoke of an emphasis on “pragmatic advice” and on making the guidelines “digestible”.
Dressed head to toe in the trans flag colours of pink, white and blue, Ms Davidson said the point of Transgender Awareness Week was to advance advocacy around the issues of discrimination and violence that affect the transgender community.
“[The guidelines] are going to be part of the solution. It won’t be all of it,” Ms Davidson told Canberra Daily.
“What we need now is for healthcare professionals to pick up this guidance and educate themselves, so that it’s not up to the transgender community to educate them.
“That is absolutely a part of duty of care.”
The efforts to educate all ACT mental health practitioners partially came from a nationwide deficit in dedicated trans-friendly healthcare.
“Currently in Australia, there’s more trans people seeking healthcare than our trans-friendly health care providers can serve,” said Minister Davidson.
Jenni Shoring, operations manager at A Gender Agenda was happy to see that the guidelines addressed the “the simple things” like recognising preferred pronouns and using the individual’s chosen name, regardless of what’s on their Medicare card.
Ms Shoring, Dr Moore and Ms Davidson were all in agreement that the new guidelines would eventually lead the way for the rest of Australia.
“As someone who has experienced depression and anxiety in life, to be treated with respect and treated for who I am through my healthcare is incredible,” Ms Shoring said.
Over the coming months, A Gender Agenda will deliver targeted training to health care providers.
Guidance to support gender affirming care for mental health is currently being distributed through the Office of Mental Health.
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