The Irish mental-health and healthcare systems are not up to scratch. Few people would disagree with that statement. But for trans people across Ireland, this is a particularly serious problem.

Gender GP is a global organisation providing advocacy services for LGBTQI+ people around the world. They revealed that – in the US in 2020 – “52% of Trans and Non-Binary youth” suffered suicidal ideation. A frightening 20% attempted suicide. These statistics vary country by country and year on year – but there is no quastion whatsoever that mental health issues are a serious problem in the trans community – in Ireland, as elsewhere.

Trans Limerick Community (TLC) is a peer support group for trans, non-binary, gender diverse and questioning adults based in Limerick.

Facilitators William Keohane, Raevynna El Messaoudi and Lauren McNamara are transgender people, providing an invaluable service in Limerick, where so few other resources are available.

“Community-led supports and groups are wonderful, but they’re also an indication of an overstretched system,” says TLC founder Keohane. “TLC is entirely voluntary. We do it because we want to. Or, because we feel we have to. You can’t wait to see what support will become available. By then, it might be too late.

“Most people are struggling, not because they are trans, but due to the stigma associated with being trans; and the challenges that come with accessing healthcare, coming out to family and friends, and maintaining housing and employment while transitioning.”

“Transphobia causes mental-health issues,” Raevynna adds pointedly, “the world not being able to work around who you are.”

 

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YOUR LIFE IS ON PAUSE

There is a lack of proper trans health services in Ireland. Add to that a complete lack of trans-specific governmental support – and you have a recipe for serious mental health issues.

“A lot of people don’t know where to go here,” Will explains. “They are getting their information from others in TLC. Many of our members have gone abroad to private trans healthcare clinics because the wait lists here are so long.”

As with all areas of healthcare in Ireland, the excessive waiting times are a major issue.

“That really is contributing to negative mental-health, because you’re stuck in a position where this big aspect of your life is on pause. It’s hard to think about other things when you’re waiting for healthcare.”

Having experienced mental-health issues related to her gender throughout her life, trans woman Shana Cotter is the perfect example of how access to proper healthcare can change trans people’s lives.

“Eventually,” Shana says, “I realised I have to deal with this, and transition, or continue feeling this way. I’m lucky that I can afford private care, as the clinic in Loughlinstown has about a three-year waitlist.”

Loughlinstown.

MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

Shana saw the benefits of transitioning almost immediately.

“I used to suffer with sleepless nights, bouts of depression and anxiety,” Shana says. “Within two weeks of starting the medication that all disappeared. Now, I don’t have any of those major troubles and I care far less about what people think about me. In my head, and for my own mental-health, I’ve definitely made the right decision in transitioning.”

Lack of knowledge is a huge issue for transgender people.

“We’ve spoken so much about trans healthcare in Ireland,” facilitator Lauren McNamara says, “but when you don’t even have a place to ask questions or access this information, it’s much harder. Figuring out what to do, where to go, or who to ask, is so difficult. There are some fantastic services there, but unless you get lucky, you may never know about them.”

In total, only €58 million has been assigned to mental-healthcare in Ireland’s 2023 budget. This is so clearly inadequate that it is very unlikely to enable the proper training of staff in our mental-health services in handling trans issues. Until we see more governmental support, mental-health will remain a massive problem for the Irish trans community.

In the meantime, it is more important than ever for us all to speak up for trans people whenever and wherever you can. You never know who might benefit from your solidarity.

Read the full Hot Press mental health special in our latest issue, out now.