A new counselling service for Trans, Non-Binary and Intersex individuals has launched in Wirral.
The unique service will be made up of free sessions delivered by experienced counsellors and will be available via self-referral.
Cheshire and Merseyside Adult Gender Identity Collaborative (CMAGIC) hope it will fill a gap in service provision that is vital for the health and wellbeing of the Trans community.
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Anthony Griffin, Chair of CMAGIC, said: “We are all extremely excited to see the launch of our counselling service in Wirral. We know that this service, which is based on our existing care model, stands the greatest chance of reaching people.
"It has been designed by trans people, for trans people in collaboration with well trained and greatly experienced counsellors.
"This is particularly vital for younger and older Trans, Non-Binary and Intersex people who are amongst the most vulnerable and isolated within our communities.
“We are indebted to NHS Wirral CCG for their understanding of the complexities of the issues and challenges that Trans, Non-Binary and Intersex people face."
Statistics have repeatedly shown trans people are more likely to experience poor mental health, especially when they take steps to move forward with their gender transition.
Almost half (48%) of trans people in Britain have attempted suicide at least once whereas 84% have considered it.
Local research established by the NAVAJO Merseyside Cheshire LGBTIQA Partnership has shown that for young people up to the age of 26 those figures are considerably higher.
The new counselling service, which is funded by the NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group and supported by LCR Pride Foundation, will be vital to support other initiatives and reduce the number of people who are at greater risk.
Simon Banks Chief Officer, NHS Wirral CCG, said: “We are proud to support the launch of this service which will improve access to gender identity healthcare and support the health and wellbeing needs of trans people living in Wirral.
"CMAGIC will provide support, information and counselling to people during any stage of their transition journey and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of this service for transgender and non-binary people.”
The launch of the Wirral counselling service comes just 12 months after CMAGIC announced a new specialist gender incongruence pathway pilot serving Cheshire and Merseyside and an identical counselling service in Cheshire.
The service can be accessed by self-referral via the CMAGIC website.
After contacting the service, referrals will be sent to the client’s assigned counsellor and will then be informed when to expect their first appointment. It will be delivered out of multiple locations and in some cases online.
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