Equipping Counsellors with Skills to Address Unique Challenges Such As Gender Dysphoria, Bullying and LGBTQ Issues

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health what actions have been taken to ensure that mental health professionals are fully equipped to address the unique challenges such as gender dysphoria, bullying and familial rejection faced by LGBTQ individuals who seek mental health counselling.

Our mental health professionals need to be able to manage patients who are struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity, in a clinically appropriate and also sensitive way. In this regard, the Ministry of Health has put in place two key measures to support mental health professionals.

Firstly, education and training. For example, psychiatrists-in-training undergo residency teachings and discussions and clinical training that enable them to practise effectively as psychiatrists and care for a wide spectrum of persons needing care. This includes patients who might identify as LGBT and are diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria or other mental health co-morbidities such as Mood Disorders.

Secondly, we have developed a set of best practice guidelines for professionals working with such individuals. These guidelines have been developed for Counsellors and relevant professionals working with youth on sexual orientation issues. The last update was 2015 and we are in the process of updating it further, in consultation with relevant professionals in the fields of Psychiatry, Psychology, Counselling and Social Work.