First ever national study to look at trans mental health

First ever national study to look at trans mental health

surveyIn a bid to improve health services in the future, members of the trans* community in NSW and across Australia are encouraged to take part in the country’s First National Trans Mental Health Study being conducted by a team of researchers from Curtin University.

The study, funded by a grant from Beyondblue, is anonymous and involves completing an online questionnaire, which is estimated to take about 30 minutes.

The study’s principal investigator, Dr Zoë Hyde, said the team of researchers were intent on hearing from all trans people aged over 18 no matter how they live or describe themselves.

“We use the term trans in an inclusive way, and would like to hear from people who use (or used) words like transsexual, transgender, sistergirl, androgynous, or genderqueer to describe themselves,” Hyde said.

Hyde said until now Australia’s transgender population had received limited attention from public health researchers, planners and practitioners.

“Much of what is known about this population is informed by research conducted overseas and few studies in this area have been conducted in Australia.

“In a previous study conducted by the researchers in Western Australia, 32 per cent of trans people had been diagnosed with depression in the past year, compared to six per cent of the general population,” she said.

“This new study will investigate whether mental health problems are similar across Australia, and try to understand the reason behind higher rates of depression and anxiety in this population.”

Beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell said she was hopeful the information gained from the survey will help provide a stronger evidence base to assist service providers in planning and developing future mental health programs with trans people.

“Beyondblue is proud to be supporting this important research,” Carnell said.

“We are aiming to improve the mental health of people in the community and build an evidence base about the most effective ways to prevent and treat depression and anxiety.”

Participation in the study is open until December 31.

INFO: For more information, please contact the study’s principal investigator Dr Zoë Hyde at [email protected] or visit here.

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