The term “Queer” is often used as an umbrella term that is sometimes used to define sexual orientation such as lesbian, gay, transgender and those that do not conform to popular/ known societal norms. The LGBT community in India had a historic moment on September 6, 2018, when the Supreme Court of India decriminalized homosexuality. Even though the government accepts the LGBT community as they are, there is still discrimination and bias towards the community from the society that further causes social, emotional and mental health issues for various members of the Queer community.
About Ms. Aanchal Narang
Ms. Aanchal Narang is a counselling psychologist, queer affirmative therapist & trainer. She founded Another Light Counselling, specialising in counselling and therapy for trauma, addiction, gender and sexuality. She has also been a trainer at Queer Affirmative Counselling Practices. Moreover, she works with multiple NGOs for intervention planning & raising funds.
In this Live by MHT India, Ms. Aanchal Narang talks about the various mental health issues faced by the LGBT community in India and abroad. Along with the conversation, she also dwells into the effective me Queer Affirmative Therapy as an intervention that can support the mental health needs of the community.
Watch the Full Video: Understanding Queer Mental Health ft. Aanchal Narang | MHT
Research studies have shown mental health disorder such as depression more prevalent amongst transgender individuals (Reisner 2015) as compared to the other members of the LGBT community. Moreover, LGBT teens are more vulnerable and experience depressive symptoms are compared to their heterosexual peers (Marshall, 2011).
Ms. Aanchal speaks more on this issue. She also burst various myths around the LGBT and Queer community in India. Most importantly, she shares various techniques and resources the individuals from the LGBT community and society, in general, can imbibe and improve the mental health wellbeing of people from the queer community.
About MHT Live
MHT Live is an online space with live streaming on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram. At MHT Live, mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, researchers and scholars come together and address a particular issue or advancements in the field of mental health and even chat with the viewers through a live chatbox. Mental health experts in India, have been a part of this platform from the very beginning. From mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression and psychosis; psychological issues, such as self-esteem, confidence and resilience; as well as social issues such as workplace culture, women’s issues, and LGBT community issues, all have been covered in the multiple MHT Live sessions that take place every Sunday.
The platform aims at connecting professionals with people seeking help, vice-versa. An interactive discussion of approximately 1 hour provides the viewers with a comprehensive knowledge of that particular issues, therapeutic techniques that they can try at home and also contact details of the speaker of a particular webinar.
The MHT Live is streamed every Sunday from 12 noon to 01:00 P.M. The recordings of MHT Live, along with short clips from the Live, are also streamed at other media platforms:
Subscribe to MHT and become a part of the community. Get weekly updates on new MHT Blogs, MHT Podcasts and MHT Webinars from Mental Health Today. If you are seeking the help of a professional, explore the MHT Directory and find an expert can support your needs and requirements. Explore various products at MHT Store that can assist you to overcome your emotional or psychological or mental health problems.
Team MHT hopes you found this MHT Live helpful and informative. Stay tuned for more live streams coming up. Kindly like, share and subscribe to MHT’s social media handles. If you wish to join as a speaker for our next MHT Live episode, send us an email at:
support@mentalhealthtoday.co.in
Source: Reisner, S. L., Vetters, R., Leclerc, M., Zaslow, S., Wolfrum, S., Shumer, D., & Mimiaga, M. J. (2015). Mental health of transgender youth in care at an adolescent urban community health center: a matched retrospective cohort study. J Adolesc Health, 56(3), 274-279. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.10.264 Marshal, M. P., Dietz, L. J., Friedman, M. S., Stall, R., Smith, H. A., McGinley, J., . . . Brent, D. A. (2011). Suicidality and depression disparities between sexual minority and heterosexual youth: a meta-analytic review. J Adolesc Health, 49(2), 115-123. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.02.005
