“We know that transgender individuals, whether they’re binary or nonbinary, are at higher risk for psychological distress and suicide, so this is immensely important for us as mental health nurses,” said Dallas M. Ducar, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, CNL, during her keynote address presented at the 2021 Fall Nursing Conference.
The CEO of Transhealth Northampton, a health care center created to “empower trans and gender-diverse adults, children, and families,” Ducar called on the nurses in attendance to adopt gender-affirming practices and work to close gaps in care access.
Her talk, “Affirming and Empowering Mental Health Care for Gender-Diverse Individuals,” explored the many mental and physical health challenges facing gender-diverse populations. Ducar examined legal issues, societal attitudes, and medical practices that often act as barriers to care for these individuals. Also, she explained how gender-affirming mental health and medical practices can improve services and outcomes.
Health Care Gaps
Ducar reported findings from the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. This investigation found that 39% of transgender individuals responding to the survey said they were currently experiencing serious psychological distress, and most said these issues interfered with their daily lives. That 39% is eight times the national average.
Also, Ducar cited a 2014 Fenway Health survey that demonstrates the impact of discrimination on transgender patients. The survey found that 20% of respondents postponed or did not receive health care services because of past or perceived discrimination.