Examining the Evolution of the Intersection between Transgender Care and Psychiatric Social Work in India in the 21st Century: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Transgender (TG) people often face significant challenges related to stigma, discrimination, and marginalization, leading to adverse mental health outcomes and limited access to social and legal resources. Psychiatric social workers (PSWs) play a crucial role in bridging these gaps by advocating for mental health, social inclusion, and legal rights for the TG community. This article explores the multidimensional changes over the last decade in the TG community in India and the role of PSWs in empowering TG persons, focusing on legal advocacy, psychosocial support, and community integration. The study also highlights the sociocultural framework of Indian TG people and the divisiveness that makes the adaptation difficult in low-resource settings such as India. In addition, the article examines the intersection of mental health and social justice, emphasizing the importance of creating supportive environments that foster resilience and self-empowerment within the TG community and advocating the PSW as change agents by strengthening existing policy, training in clinical expertise, advocacy skills, and a human rights perspective to drive meaningful change in the lives of TG people.