Mental Health Status and Its Psychosocial Correlates Among Help-Seeking Transgender Individuals: Experiences from a Clinic in South India

Transgend Health. 2025 Apr 11;10(2):201-209. doi: 10.1089/trgh.2022.0150. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: As India is making legal and policy-level changes to protect the interests of transgender (TG) individuals, there has been an increase in the number of TG individuals seeking help from medical professionals. There is still a lack of information regarding the life experiences of TG individuals from India. These life experiences may affect their mental health and help-seeking behaviors. This study conducted in a mental health facility in South India aims to describe the mental health of TG individuals initiating gender-affirming procedures and its psychosocial correlates.

METHODS: Consecutive adult (>18 years) TG individuals visiting an outpatient psychiatric facility for psychiatric certification before initiating gender-affirming procedures for 6 months were approached for the study. Using a cross-sectional, observational methodology, standardized scales of mental health status and quality of life and various psychosocial stresses, including prejudice and discrimination, were administered to the consenting participants.

RESULTS: Moderate to severe depressive anxiety and depressive symptoms were reported by 24.5% of the 53 participants. Discrimination was reported by 66%, verbal abuse by 60.4%, sexual assault by 20.8%, and physical assault by 20.8% of the individuals. A significant correlation was observed between exposure to verbal abuse and TG identity stigma and a negative correlation between discrimination and the environmental domain of quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS: Mental health problems, discrimination, and interpersonal violence are common among TG individuals in India. Society and mental health professionals must be made aware of this to help this underserved population.

PMID:40309069 | PMC:PMC12039889 | DOI:10.1089/trgh.2022.0150