Identity in Crisis: The Mental Health Toll and Social Exclusion of Transgender Adults.

Schools fail to include them, workplaces refuse to hire them, and public spaces push them to the margins. The result? A lifetime of struggle against social exclusion, financial instability, and emotional distress.

A beautiful wall art at NLSIU Bangalore, created by a collective of transgender and cis-women artists, stands as both a beautiful aspiration and a poignant reminder of the distance yet to be traveled in achieving true equality.

Bhopal- In India, society’s treatment of transgender individuals is a paradox. On one hand, they are called upon to bless weddings, newborns, and auspicious occasions, seen as bearers of good fortune. But beyond these rituals, the same society refuses to acknowledge them as equal human beings. They are shunned from schools, workplaces, cafes, and public spaces—denied the dignity, respect, and opportunities that every individual deserves. The hypocrisy runs deep: a transgender person is welcomed into homes to offer blessings, yet their existence within a family is often considered inauspicious. When a transgender child is born, they are not celebrated but hidden away, forced to suppress their identity, or even abandoned.

For transgender youth, adolescence is not just about the usual struggles of growing up—it is a time of fear, confusion, and profound distress. As they begin to understand their identity, they face immense societal and familial rejection. Gender dysphoria brings mental, emotional, and physical challenges, yet instead of receiving support, many transgender individuals are met with isolation, abuse, and forced conformity. They are often dismissed as mentally ill, pressured into seeking psychiatric help, or compelled to live a life that aligns with societal expectations rather than their true selves.

Indian society may be advancing in technology, wealth, and lifestyle, but in matters of acceptance and humanity, it still lags behind. Domestic violence and family conflicts disproportionately affect transgender youth, especially those undergoing gender transition. Can you imagine the trauma of a child facing not only personal struggles but also rejection and abuse from their own family? At an age when they are most vulnerable, when they need guidance and reassurance, they are instead forced to hide, endure violence, and navigate their identity alone.

The lack of sex education and awareness leaves transgender individuals struggling to find information, often turning to the internet for guidance—only to be met with misinformation, stigma, and fear. Schools fail to include them, workplaces refuse to hire them, and public spaces push them to the margins. The result? A lifetime of struggle against social exclusion, financial instability, and emotional distress.

Understanding these challenges is the first step toward change. Society must go beyond mere token acceptance and extend genuine support to transgender individuals—not just in rituals, but in everyday life. Until this happens, transgender adults will continue to fight for their right to exist, to be seen, heard, and treated as equals.

A beautiful wall art at NLSIU Bangalore, created by a collective of transgender and cis-women artists, stands as both a beautiful aspiration and a poignant reminder of the distance yet to be traveled in achieving true equality.

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Unravelling Gender: Society as the Architect of Identity

Society is more than just a collection of individuals—it is a structure built upon defined roles, expectations, and traditions. It shapes us as much as we shape it, weaving an intricate web of norms, institutions, and ideologies that have evolved over centuries. Gender, as a social construct, is deeply embedded in this framework. It is not merely an individual identity but a product of cultural narratives, systemic practices, and social conditioning that dictate how we perceive and express it.

When we study gender through a societal lens, we see that sex is often reduced to biological categories—male and female—while gender is understood through the binary of masculinity and femininity. But where does this leave those who do not conform? Social institutions, including education, often fail to recognize identities beyond this binary. Terms such as transgender, gay, lesbian, and non-binary, though inherent to human existence, remain sidelined in our textbooks, conversations, and mainstream culture. The existence of transgender individuals is not new; their identities have always been a part of society. Yet, history has marked them as “deviant,” pushing them into the margins, denying them visibility, and erasing their narratives.

For transgender individuals, particularly teenagers experiencing gender dysphoria, the struggle is not just about self-recognition—it is about the pain of being unseen and unheard. The burden they carry is not merely their own; it is imposed by a society that deems them “unnatural,” “incomplete,” or even a mistake. Their formative years are marked by rejection, violence, and exclusion from schools, families, and public spaces. As they navigate the complexities of identity, they are met with relentless stigmatization, lack of awareness, and systemic neglect. The turmoil of hormonal changes and physical self-acceptance is compounded by societal cruelty, forcing them to endure psychological distress in silence.

At its core, the greatest challenge they face is not their own identity—it is society’s unwillingness to accept them. The isolation, the trauma, and the suffering inflicted upon them are not consequences of being transgender but of a world that refuses to acknowledge their humanity. Understanding gender through a social context demands that we confront these realities, question these exclusions, and recognize that gender is not just an individual experience but a deeply social one—one that must be freed from the constraints of ignorance and prejudice.

Challenges Faced by Transgender Adults

The journey of a transgender individual is filled with obstacles that begin early in life and continue into adulthood. The intersection of adolescence, gender identity, and societal expectations presents unique challenges for transgender individuals. The struggles they endure, especially during their teenage years, often start from societal misconceptions, discrimination, and lack of awareness. Many transgender individuals recall feeling isolated and alienated, as if they were treated like an anomaly rather than a human being with valid emotions and experiences. They are frequently viewed as something unnatural, as if their identity is a deviation from what society considers “normal.”

Early Struggles and Gender Dysphoria

For many transgender individuals, the realization of their gender identity begins in childhood or adolescence. This period is often accompanied by gender dysphoria—an intense distress caused by a mismatch between their assigned sex at birth and their true gender identity. A major challenge during this time is the hormonal changes that affect not just their physical appearance but also their mental and emotional well-being. They frequently experience confusion, fear, and anxiety, as they struggle to understand what is happening to them. Many are left wondering whether their feelings are valid, especially when family and friends dismiss their identity as a psychological issue rather than a real experience.

Family Rejection and Social Isolation

One of the most painful challenges faced by transgender individuals is rejection by their own families. Instead of receiving support, they are often met with disbelief and denial. Many are forced to suppress their identity to conform to parental expectations, while others are subjected to psychological counseling under the false belief that their gender identity is a mental disorder. Some families even impose restrictions on their personal expression, preventing them from participating in activities that align with their gender identity. This suppression leads to deep emotional distress, as they fear losing their family, friends, and social connections.

Bullying, Harassment, and Violence

Transgender individuals are disproportionately targeted for bullying, harassment, and even physical violence. From schools and workplaces to public spaces, they face discrimination that often manifests as exclusion, verbal abuse, and even physical harm. Domestic violence is a significant concern, as many transgender individuals face hostility within their own homes. They are ridiculed, insulted, and, in extreme cases, forced to leave their homes, leaving them vulnerable to homelessness and financial instability. The lack of access to mental health support and counseling further exacerbates their struggles, pushing many towards anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Lack of Education and Awareness

Another major issue transgender individuals face is the lack of comprehensive sex education and gender awareness in schools and families. Due to this gap, many are left to seek information online, which can often be misleading or overwhelming. Without proper guidance, they struggle to navigate their emotions and identity, leading to further confusion and distress.

Discrimination in Education and Employment

Even in adulthood, transgender individuals continue to face systemic discrimination in various aspects of life, including education and employment. Many struggle to find acceptance in schools and colleges, often facing exclusion from peer groups and academic opportunities. In professional spaces, securing stable employment is a significant challenge due to biases against their gender identity. Many are denied job opportunities, leading to financial instability and economic hardship.

A beautiful wall art at NLSIU Bangalore, created by a collective of transgender and cis-women artists, stands as both a beautiful aspiration and a poignant reminder of the distance yet to be traveled in achieving true equality.

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A Transgender Woman’s Untold Struggle

A transgender woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared her painful experiences of growing up in a family that dismissed her feelings as mere psychological confusion. “I was constantly told that I was mentally ill, that I needed to see a psychologist, and that I was just confused. My family refused to accept who I was and forced me to suppress my identity,” she recounted. Even today, despite years of fighting for her rights, she remains unaccepted by her own parents, faced bullying, harassment, and societal rejection. Her journey is not just about gender equality; it is about being seen, heard, and acknowledged as a human being with dreams, rights, and dignity.

Sanjana Singh, a transgender woman and activist, has fought tirelessly for her place in society. Her journey has been one of immense struggle, rejection, and resilience. During our conversation, she spoke of the paradox in Indian society—the same people who shun transgender individuals in everyday life seek their blessings during auspicious occasions. She highlighted the hypocrisy that allows them to be revered in rituals but disrespected in workplaces, educational institutions, and public spaces.

Sanjana also pointed out an eye-opening contrast—she found more respect and acceptance in rural environments than in so-called “civilized” urban societies. “People in villages, despite their limited exposure, often treat us with more dignity than the educated, urban elite,” she shared. This contrast sheds light on the deep-seated biases that prevail in modern society, where economic progress does not necessarily equate to social progress.

She emphasized that social acceptance and family support are the pillars that can uplift transgender individuals and help them build their identities. “Society is deeply sex-based, and unless perspectives change, transgender people will continue to feel unheard, unseen, and unacknowledged,” she asserted.

Dr. Roshan Sutar, a psychiatrist at AIIMS Bhopal (Incharge, Transgender Clinic AIIMS Bhopal), who has counseled many transgender individuals, states, “The most common issues faced by transgender individuals include social stigma, acceptance of identity, substance use, the constraints of a closed community, and rigid societal rules. When transgender individuals experience mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, they should seek professional help. However, due to the lack of a strong support system, counseling and reassurance play a crucial role in their well-being.”

Notably, AIIMS Bhopal became India’s first medical institution to provide specialized treatment for transgender individuals, ensuring healthcare accessibility.

Initiatives and Steps Toward Inclusion

Schools should incorporate gender education into their curriculum to promote understanding and acceptance. Conducting sensitivity training for teachers and workplaces can help create an inclusive environment.

Educational initiatives play a pivotal role in this transformative process. For instance, France has introduced curricula aimed at teaching young children about gender equality and the distinction between biological sex and gender, fostering an environment of acceptance from an early age.

Government and Legal Support

Governments can offer scholarships and financial aid for transgender individuals pursuing higher education. For example:

    The Odisha government has implemented the “Trutiya Prakruti Surakhya Abhijana” (Third Gender Protection Campaign), which offers rehabilitation facilities, scholarships, and employment opportunities to transgender individuals.

    Through the YSR Pension Kanuka scheme, the Andhra Pradesh state provides a monthly pension of ?3,000 to transgender individuals, aiming to improve their social and economic status.

Community and Family Support

Families should provide an open and accepting environment, ensuring that transgender children feel heard and valued. Community-led support groups and mentorship programs can offer guidance and emotional reassurance.

Fighting Loneliness and Promoting Mental Health

Access to mental health professionals and counseling services should be expanded to help transgender individuals navigate emotional challenges. Participation in LGBTQ+ networks and safe spaces can help combat isolation and provide social support.

Breaking the stigma around transgender identities requires collective efforts from individuals, families, governments, and society as a whole. By ensuring inclusive policies, raising awareness, and providing strong mental health support, we can create a world where transgender individuals are not just accepted but empowered to live freely and authentically.

Courtesy : The Mooknayak

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