Integrated Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions to enhance LGBTQIA+ mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in Myanmar.

UNFPA is the lead UN agency that expands the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy sexual and reproductive lives. 

In 2021, UNFPA Myanmar commissioned a Mental Health and Psychosocial Needs Assessment of the LGBTQIA+ population, including a survey of more than 1,500 self-identifying LGBTQIA+ individuals from around the country. The data revealed concerning evidence around the wellbeing and safety of LGBTQIA+ people. Mental health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ populations are poor – with the most serious statistics from the study indicating that half of LGBTQIA+ people had considered self-harm, and of those, nearly half had acted upon this urge. Furthermore, around half had thought about suicide, and of those, nearly 1-in-3 had made an attempt on their life. These worrying results can be attributed to the widespread violence, discrimination and marginalization suffered by LGBTQIA+ individuals across the country. These dynamics impede their access to healthcare, education and livelihood opportunities, which in turn, further exacerbates poor mental health.

As a lead-agency in the field of GBV, MHPSS and SRHR, UNFPA strongly commits to support providing integrated and multi-stakeholder approach in order to address gender inequalities and discriminatory social norms forming the root causes of the violence, discrimination and marginalisation experienced by LGBTQIA+ people.