The ACT government has released new guidelines for mental health professionals to help better support trans and gender-diverse Canberrans.
The guidance has been developed to help reduce barriers for trans and gender-diverse people when seeking mental health support in Canberra.
Minister for Mental Health Emma Davidson said it was hoped the guidelines would make the ACT's system more accessible and inclusive.
"Around half of the trans and gender-diverse population will experience anxiety or depression at some point in their lives so through this guideline, we will remove some of the barriers that exist when accessing or navigating the mental health system," Ms Davidson said.
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Ms Davidson said the guidelines had been developed with the trans and gender-diverse community. The guidelines have been developed with health and advocacy organisations, A Gender Agenda and Meridian.
"It is community led to ensure that the needs and barriers the community faces are appropriately addressed so more people receive better mental health care experiences and with a practitioner who is knowledgeable about gender-diverse and transgender healthcare," she said.
The guidelines encourage practitioners to develop competence in working with trans and gender-diverse people by seeking basic and up-to-date knowledge of gender identity and expression.
It provides information around understanding who trans and gender diverse people are and how delivery of care can be provided.
It also has information to link mental health care workers with relevant legislation, knowledge and training.
