Q: How has the COVID-19 Pandemic disproportionately affected mental health services available to the transgender community?
A: Like many marginalized communities, the trans community received less mental health care due to overburdened systems. Because many people started going to therapy during the pandemic, there was a greater demand for mental health services. As a result, many trans individuals were transitioned off of caseloads to accommodate the general public. Additionally, the quality of care was affected by overworked therapists and a lack of resources. During this time, I experienced medication errors and a lapse in therapy appointments. Isolation and other societal factors often lead members of the trans community to suicidality. Because of this, it has been crucial that trans folx have access to mental health services, especially as isolation increased during the pandemic.
Q: What were the health challenges experienced by the transgender community during the pandemic?
A: Throughout the pandemic, we experienced numerous shortages in feminizing and masculinizing hormone therapy. Because transgender individuals rely on hormone therapy to support and to maintain transition, a lack of access increases stress and heightened experiences of gender dysphoria. Additionally, a lot of gender-affirming surgeries were canceled or postponed during the pandemic, which is devastating to someone who has waited and followed all of the necessary steps needed for surgery.
Q: Did you observe an increase in financial stress during the pandemic?
A: I lost my job during the pandemic because the organization suffered financial consequences. Since then, I have been struggling to find employment. It is not easy for transgender individuals to find work because of discrimination. Rates of homelessness among the transgender community increased during the pandemic because of a loss of employment.
In closing, “I don’t know a single trans person that wasn’t significantly affected by the pandemic….Because we are in societal conditions that lead to more stress and trauma, the transgender community was especially vulnerable to the devastating effects of the pandemic.
Begin Gender-Affirming Counseling in Baltimore, MD
The impacts of COVID-19 have disproportionately impacted mental health services to the transgender community. If you are seeking gender-affirming therapy or support regarding the specific experiences of the transgender community during the pandemic, meeting with one of our therapists might be a great option for you. Our inclusive therapists will provide support and give you tools to help navigate LGBTQ-specific challenges.
Other Counseling Services Offered at New Connections Counseling Center
In addition to gender-affirming and LGBTQ counseling, New Connections Counseling Center also offers a variety of counseling services. Our inclusive therapists try to serve a range of populations through therapy for college students, women’s counseling, men’s therapy, and therapy for sexual assault survivors.
Our team also approaches therapy from an issue-specific standpoint by offering therapy for anxiety, depression counseling, counseling for life transitions, EMDR therapy, and trauma therapy and PTSD treatment. New Connections Counseling Center wants to help you live the most satisfying and authentic life to you. Schedule an appointment with one of our therapists today!
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