An Analysis Of The Mental Healthcare Of Transgender In India
- IJLLR Journal
- Aug 4
- 1 min read
Madhawi Pandey, Ph.D., National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi, Jharkhand
ABSTRACT
As we know, transgender people are those who do not conform to their biological sex by birth. Their gender identity is dependent upon inner psychological feelings. Most transgender people feel anxious and depressed during the period of transition. Several researchers have found that there is some connection between mental illness and the inner conflict of gender identity because they feel anxious and experience peer pressure due to gender incongruence. However, this is not the only cause of their mental problems. Rather, their mental issues are affected by multiple reasons, such as societal discrimination, anxiety, marginalization, and exclusion from mainstream society. In this situation, their struggle to get proper mental healthcare becomes a complex issue. Hence, the analysis is being conducted in light of the Mental Health Care Act 2017. It will be interesting to know, despite several legislations for transgender individuals, whether they are contributing towards accessibility and availability of mental healthcare for transgender individuals, or if there is still a long way to go. In addition to that, we will also consider barriers to mental healthcare because mental problems are often termed taboo in Indian society. India is also a signatory to ICD-11. The legislator adopted a human rights approach to making laws; hence, it is a progressive law. However, unless it's properly implemented, we cannot say that we have achieved the sustainable goal of 3.5.
Keywords: Transgender; mental health; discrimination; accessibility; rights.
