Trans day of visibility is a day to celebrate trans and gender diversity, but also a day to shine a light on discrimination and abuse and its impact on the trans and gender diverse community.
Sadly we are in the midst of a crisis in relation to the mental health and wellbeing within the trans and gender diverse (TGD) community in Victoria. Covid-19 has no doubt further exacerbated existing experiences of isolation and service barriers for TGD people which has led to increased risks of acute mental health issues, self-harm and suicidality.
Recent research reported in Writing Themselves In 4 which was collected prior to Covid-19, shows that the levels of harassment and abuse experienced by TGD young people (aged 14-21) and the distress they experience as a result was already shockingly high.
Zoe Belle Gender Collective is calling on organisations to respond to the mental health needs of the TGD community in their own organisations, and advocate for sector-wide reform that creates a mental health system that is safe and affirming for TGD young people.