MHM Magazine

24 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 2022 | Issue 4 MHM - Reflect on personal biases – we all have them. 0 Unpack your perceptions of gender identity, explore how they may be biased towards the binary and how these views could be expanded to incorporate more of a spectrum of gender identities. - Deal with your curiosities in your own time. 0 If there’s something you’re wanting to know or understand that’s got nothing to do with your client, don’t ask them to explain to you. 0 You can do your own research or ask questions in spaces set up for this, like PATHSA. • Treatment - Referring to the client by their name and pronouns (even if the treatment has nothing to do with their gender) is a significant aspect to their social transition. If you don’t acknowledge or understand their gender identity, it’s likely they won’t feel as though they’re receiving comprehensive treatment, which can have varying mental and physical health effects. 0 Many clients refrain from being open and asking certain questions due to expectations of being judged, which is why it’s important to ensure a non- judgmental engagement. - Many gender diverse individuals are seeking gender affirming healthcare (GAHC) from their general practitioners. If you’re needing guidance as to best practice for gender-affirming healthcare, here are some helpful resources 0 Southern African HIV Clinicians Society - Gender- Affirming Healthcare Guideline for South Africa - https://sahivsoc.org/ Files/SAHCS%20GAHC%20 guidelines-expanded%20 version_Oct%202021.pdf 0 The World Professional Association for Transgender Health - Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People - https://www.wpath.org/ publications/soc 0 Join organisations like Professional Association for Transgender Health South Africa (PATHSA) to learn and engage with other health practitioners on ways to provide GAHC effectively - https://pathsa.org.za/ • Mistakes happen – be patient and persist. - Using the incorrect name and pronouns is very common, especially if you’ve known the client before they informed you of their change in name and/or pronouns. - Simply apologise and correct yourself. Try not to over- apologise, however, as this can result in the client needing to reassure you that it’s okay, which can be even more uncomfortable. - It’s also okay to just begin correcting yourself once you realise, without necessarily having to apologise each time. - If you’re battling to remember to use the correct name and pronouns, it may help to have some kind of a visual cue for yourself. • Educate yourself - There are a lot of different terms and concepts to understand, so do some of your own research. There’s a lot of helpful information online. Here’s some helpful resources to start with: 0 https://www.npr . org/2021/06/02/996319297/ gender-identity-pronouns- expression-guide-lgbtq 0 https://health.clevelandclinic. org/what-is-gender-identity/ - Self-reflection is an important part of this process, in order to identify and interrogate internal biases. Willingness to be an ally and show support to your gender diverse clients is an important first step in that direction. It’s okay if there’s still a lot more you need to understand, as you can ask and engage with colleagues and research online.