Pansexual/Agender Community and Mental Health
WHAT ARE THEY?
Pansexual: attraction to people regardless of gender/sex (gender-blind)
Agender: gender neutral/lack of gender
WHERE DOES THE STIGMATIZATION STEM FROM?
1. Society: Collective judgement from the societal structure which privileges straight sexuality
2. Self-stigma: Form of stress through directing negative social values towards oneself
3. Sexual prejudice: As a result of the lack of public knowledge of differences between pansexuality and other orientations, ‘just being confused’ and ‘having no boundaries’
HOW ARE THEY RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH?
Pansexuality allows individuals freedom to express their most authentic sexuality and steer away from culturally defined boxes
Stronger impact of mental health of pansexual people than monosexual (eg lesbian, gay individuals).
Compared with peers, these sexual and gender minority youths are more likely to report suicidal ideation (x 3), attempt suicide (x 4, with 30- 40% prevalence)
HOW TO SEEK HELP?
1. Visiting mental health clinics with non-binary gender identities
2. Talking to professionals
HOW TO RESPOND TO SOMEONE COMING OUT TO YOU
Show respect and make the individual feel welcomed/heard
Show love and support
Respect their privacy regarding whether they want other people to know
Educate yourself