Chloe’s Story
We asked our members to share their journeys and experiences in mental health advocacy, exploring what inspired them to take action, the work they are currently doing, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Here are their compelling stories that highlight their commitment to raising awareness, supporting their communities, and transforming mental health care for those in need.
Q: When and how did you first become interested in mental health advocacy / activism?
With my transition as an openly transgender woman 17 years ago, I gained the self-assurance to confront the numerous and powerful sources of stigma, discrimination, misinformation, self-righteous rejection, and hate regularly directed at the transgender, intersex, and nonbinary community—everywhere.
Often, this stigma is accompanied by violence, sometimes extreme violence, with perpetrators generally enjoying impunity. The stress of remaining authentically oneself in the face of such virulent pushback from cisgender people—and many societal institutions—is a source of profound anxiety and worse for many in my community. Yet, in most countries, mental health professionals are not trained—and are often simply not interested—in providing counselling and services to us. Even the Global Mental Health Advocacy Roadmap 2024-2025 makes no direct mention of the mental health challenges faced by LGBTQI+ people arising from this intense discrimination and stigma.
A: What work are you currently doing as a mental health advocate / activist?
My organisation, the Centre for Values in International Development, champions the universal, equal, and inalienable dignity of all persons.
Q: What is ONE thing you've learned in your journey?
Ignorance is the darkest demon driving intolerance and discrimination—and creating the worst stressors—against transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people.
A: Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself and your story?
Everyone active in the mental health community must stop making LGBTQI+ people invisible or, worse, pathologising us as mentally incompetent. Securing funding for work in this sector with this community through philanthropy is nearly impossible, and that must change.
Join the Global Mental Health Action Network’s LGBTQIA+ Working Group
If you would like to share your story with the Action Network we invite you to complete this form.
