In Cyprus, they presented the results of the first general-school survey in the framework of the European SAFE-R program (“Protection of LGBTIC+ to Health”).
The study revealed the serious problems that representatives of LGBIC+ are faced with when applying for medical help.
According to the data, 17% of respondents admitted that they did not contact doctors or psychologists due to prejudices, another 15% due to negative experience in the past. 6% noted that they avoid medical facilities because of their sexual identity or gender expression.
Particularly anxiety is caused by mental health data: 24% reported that they suffer from a mental illness, and 43% undergo therapy.
The lawyer and secretary of the “Accept LGBTIC+ Cyprus” organization Stefanos Evangelidis emphasized that this study was the first on the island dedicated to LGBTIC+ access to healthcare. According to him, the results indicate a preserved stigma:
“This does not mean that society or health specialists are not ready, but rather suggests that the state did not take the necessary steps to help medical workers and citizens feel comfortable.”
The expert believes that the problem must be done part of the training and advanced training of doctors of all specialties, including specialists in the field of mental health.
Source: Alphanews.live
