Royal College of Psychiatrists warn gov of “significant risks” to trans people’s mental health

Fifteen of the UK’s leading mental health charities have warned the government that the vile single sex only rules could significantly impact the mental health of trans and nonbinary people.

Organisations including Mind, Samaritans ,and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have written to the so-called equalities minister, Bridget Phillipson, to share their “deep concern” about guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) that is awaiting approval from the government.

If approved, the guidance would not only stop trans and nonbinary people from using services deemed “women only”, but it would also give individuals the right to question whether someone is trans and refuse them service based on their appearance.

Despite the guidance not being a law approved by the government yet, many organisations are being pressured by TERFs to exclude trans women and girls. Just last week Girlguiding announced it would no longer allow trans girls to join or trans women to volunteer. A day later, the Women’s Institute also announced trans women would no longer be a part of their organisation.

Mental health organisations warn of the harm to trans people’s mental health

The letter reads:

As mental health organisations, we are deeply concerned about the harm this could cause. Mental health depends on people feeling safe, valued and respected. Living in fear of abuse, discrimination or humiliation is a major risk factor for poor mental health and trans and nonbinary people already experience some of the highest rates of mental ill health in the UK, driven by stigma, exclusion and barriers to affirming care.

It warned:

The proposed guidance risks deepening these inequalities, undermining people’s dignity, safety and access to support.

The letter also expresses fear about what the guidance would mean for mental health services. Specifically, they refer to same sex inpatient mental health wards and sex specific community-based services:

Everyone deserves care that is gender-affirming, compassionate and safe and for trans people who often have co-existing mental illness, it is crucial and required by Good Medical Practice, that person-centred care is delivered, which takes account of their needs and preferences.

The organisations continued:

Mental health services should be places of refuge, not risk, and equality protections must strengthen, not erode, the conditions that enable people to feel safe and supported.

The letter urges the government to abandon the current guidance and instead create a framework with those affected:

Any future approach must be shaped by robust evidence and meaningful engagement with those most affected, including trans and non-binary people across all ages and mental health professionals.

The letter finally calls for Phillipson to meet with mental health professionals in order to best safeguard the mental health, dignity, and equality of trans people who desperately need mental health support.

The full list of signatories of the letter are Centre for Mental Health, Beat, Be Free Campaign, Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Matters, Mental Health UK, MHFA England and Association of Mental Health First Aiders, Mind, National Survivor User Network, The McPin Foundation, Rethink Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Samaritans, and Student Minds.

Caring more about bigots’ feelings

The warning comes on the same day that the ruling of the nurse who took NHS Fife trust to court because she didn’t like using the same changing room as a doctor who is a trans woman is published. Sandie Peggie sued the trust for harassment. These charges went in her favour, but the allegations against the doctor in question, Dr. Beth Upton, were dismissed. Peggie will receive compensation for, as the BBC reports, “injury to feelings“.

And, the director of The Good Law Project, Jo Maugham, explained that:

Sandie Peggie shared highly offensive messages and was then “untruthful” in giving evidence to the Tribunal. This is the ‘hero’ Gender Critical campaigners chose.

Maugham concluded that:

These people don’t have “reasonable concerns” – they are revolting bigots.

It’s rich as fuck that we’re considering the feelings of a vile TERF who couldn’t let a trans woman live in peace, but not the feelings and mental well-being of trans women everywhere who are most at risk by how much the supreme court ruling has emboldened bigots like Peggie.

TERFs are just the loudest – not the most popular opinions

Despite TERFs pushing for this guidance to become law and exclude trans people, it’s not something the government has rushed. The EHRC submitted it to the government in September, though at the same time admitted that it would be “difficult” for many to actually enact such a black and white ruling of what a woman is to their everyday businesses. That’s probably because, let’s face it, it’s none of their fucking business.

What is clear here is that despite rabid TERFs insisting trans people are a threat to women and girls, it’s actually trans people who are far more at risk here. It’s far more important that we protect trans people than offend a few Joannes who have fanned the flames of a moral panic that targets the safety and wellbeing of trans people.

Following the Girlguiding announcement thousands signed a petition to reverse the decision. The campaign Guiding For All brought together testimonies from current and former guides and volunteers. There are also protests planned across the country.

It would be very easy right now for trans people to feel like they’re not wanted, but we must keep showing that we will resist any and every attempt to make it harder for trans people to exist safely.

Featured image via the Canary