Guidance to support gender affirming care for mental health

The Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing has released the Guidance to support gender affirming care for mental health (the Guidance). The Guidance was officially launched by Minister Emma Davidson and Dr Elizabeth Moore, Coordinator-General on Tuesday 16 November during Transgender Awareness Week—a week to acknowledge and learn more about trans and gender diverse experiences in Australia.

The Guidance was developed as a collaboration between the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing, The Office of LGBTIQ+ Affairs, ACT Health Directorate, A Gender Agenda and Meridian. It is a first of its kind in Australia and has been designed for providers of mental health care to deliver their services in a gender affirming way and support the specific needs of trans and/or gender diverse people.

When trans and/or gender diverse people receive gender affirming care, they feel supported, respected and heard. Gender affirming care is respectful, aware and supportive of the identities and life experiences of trans and/or gender diverse individuals. This guidance is an exciting first step to increase the number of health professionals and services who have the skills required to serve trans and/or gender diverse populations.