The Mental Health Experience of Transgender and Gender Diverse Colombians: Que La Diversidad No Cueste La Vida

• Main Author: Acosta Canchila, M. Natalia
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2024
• Subjects: Clinical psychology; Gender studies; Mental health
• ISBN: 9798383213919

Experiences of TGD people in various countries reflect difficulties accessing mental health services and significant mental health needs. In Colombia, experiences in broader healthcare systems suggest various barriers to care that include experiences of discrimination. However, specific experiences in mental health services have not been thoroughly examined. The current study aimed to understand the experiences, perceptions, and needs of TGD people in Colombia in mental health systems. Qualitative data was collected via 40 semi-structured interviews with TGD people in Colombia, data was analyzed via reflexive thematic analysis. Findings suggests great mental health needs related to needing support in the process of transition and dealing with mental health distress associated with experiences of societal marginalization and discrimination. These negative experiences also occur in mental health services, discouraging TGD people from seeking care and producing a negative perception of mental health professionals. Affirming positive experiences usually only occur in specific settings that require financial resources or being knowledgeable about where to find affirming spaces. Provider’s lack of knowledge of TGD issues and perspectives of cisnormativity were largely to blame for negative experiences in mental health. In this way, TGD people appear to have significant mental health needs that mental health systems do not appear to be adequately prepared to meet. Despite Colombia having many protective policies and guidelines for care of TGD people, they do not appear to be implemented properly. This creates a worrying situation in which TGD individuals are not receiving quality mental health services and may instead be harmed in the process of seeking care. As a result, they have developed self-management techniques that include collective care. This study highlights the pressing need for mental health services to be affirming and inclusive of TGD individuals, ongoing efforts of educating mental health professionals and advocating for accountability of the implementation of protective policies would allow to properly care for the wellbeing of TGD people in Colombia.