Most transgender persons do not consult or seek guidance from medical professionals due to the fear of stigma and discrimination.

It is a fact which has been thoroughly documented that transgender persons in Malaysia encounter harassment, discrimination and subject to physical assaults.

These stories of pain are more a norm than an exception when it comes to LGBT people’s interaction with Malaysia’s mental health services. The reality is that our local mental health services are unsafe and poorly equipped to deal with the needs of LGBT people.

“Conversion therapy has been documented and proven to produce long-term psychological trauma, worsen participants’ mental health, well-being and self-esteem, and reinforces social alienation.”

The paper concludes with six main areas for recommendations on moving forward with LGBT-friendly mental health services.

Transgender people and other marginalised communities should not have to fear accessing healthcare and should be able to feel confident and safe while doing so.

A 2016 World Bank study found that homophobia alone was estimated to cost India’s economy up to $32 billion a year, approximately 1.7% of its gross domestic product (GDP).

Such targeted stigma, discrimination and criminalisation inevitably lead to the further marginalisation of an already marginalised community, which is a disaster for public health.

Everyone is equally entitled to the rights and protections provided for under Malaysian law and that includes being able to walk about without having to fear being beaten up or subject to physical and mental harm.

“Being true to ourselves is not a mental disorder.”