Discrimination causes mental trouble to transgender people

That they are not aware worsens their problems

By Vindhya Pabolu

Transwomenin Karnataka are found to have depressive symptoms from sex work, gender transition, and family rejection.

Because of a lack of awareness, transwomen report experiencing anxiety and depression symptoms for a long time. But the real problem comes when they want treatment. Most transgender individuals are single parents from the middle class. They say they can’t afford all private hospital expenses and choose government hospitals but face discrimination and are denied treatment.

Sana Suman, a transwoman who once worked in a brothel, shared: “After coming out, our family shoved us away. Society is not ready to accept us. Walking out of the house not knowing where to start and whom to trust and ending up in a brothel…, that’s where our depression started. As we were barely making money back then, we couldn’t afford treatment either. At the same time, hospitals gave us different looks. Which made it even harder for us to get treatment. Over the next few years, it continued and I came out by myself.”

Priya, a 42-year-old transwom- an, shared: “I was around 13 when I came out to my parents and they left me. I was all alone at that young age and there was no one ready to help us. At that age, I don’t know what I was struggling with, but I often experienced anxiety and panic attacks and the same led to depression. For a long time, I was alone, so I didn’t even consider getting treated. Later, I got habituatedto it. I don’t even know what my condition is now”

According to a research paper published in the International Journal of Transgender Health, in India, in India, transgender women encounter particular pressures due to their experiences at a young age. These include gender-transition experiences and involvement in the sex indus- try. Data from a cross-sectional epidemiological study say that transgender women from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are facing these problems. The study shows that 70 per cent of the sample reported sex work; over 82 per cent endorsed gender-transition services. Additionally, being in sex work, undergoing transition, leaving home because of sexual orientation, and being married were significantly associated with these depressive symptoms. Explaining the situation, Rajee Samjith, a psychotherapist, said: “Stress and anxiety, if not treated early, can lead to depression. It can be cured initially with sessions, but if the person suffers… for a long time, they should consult a doctor. I know it is difficult

Citizen’s Voice

Sustainable practice must to reduce climate change

after suffering all that trauma. However, they have to come out and accept what’s happened to them and get treatment because, if the condition is ignored, it may lead to suicidal thoughts.”

As per The Wire report, individuals belonging to sexual and gender minorities typically have a higher prevalence rates of mental ill health. A qualitative study of queer women found that anxiety, high substance use and suicidal thoughts were common parts of their experiences. Another study found that 70 per cent of men who have sex with men and 91 percent of transgender persons face depression, frequent alcohol use, and victimization due to violence they face.

Women and gender rights activist Madhu Bhushan commented: “We still exclude transgender people in the society, which is what leads to these problems.” They are still bullied, trafficked and abused in brothels which contribute to their despair. When admitted to hospitals to recover from that trauma, they are treated unfairly, which makes their sadness stifling. Society must learn to accept and treat transgender people fairly.

According to The Wire report, as a country that decriminalised homosexuality only three years ago, India does not have a strong legal framework that prevents discrimination in health or other aspects of life for gender and sexual minorities. vindhya.p@iijnm.org