Understanding The Experiences of Nonbinary People Accessing Mental Health Services

Current research indicates that transgender people make up about 0.4% of the general population and nonbinary people make up approximately 35% of the overall transgender population. Therefore, it can be estimated that there are about 455,000 nonbinary people living in the United States and United Kingdom, with the global population being even larger.

Current research also indicates that transgender individuals experience significantly higher rates of mental health stress than that of the general population. Within the transgender community, nonbinary individuals have been found to have even higher rates of mental health distress than that of other transgender individuals. Although current research regarding transgender people's experiences within the mental health system sometimes includes small percentages of nonbinary participants, there is currently no research specifically focused on the mental health experiences of nonbinary people.

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological research project will include in depth interviews of at least 20 nonbinary individuals who have experience within the mental health system. Participants will be given the opportunity to share the type of mental health services they have received, whether they feel their gender identity has influenced their mental health and subsequent mental health treatment, what their overall experience within the mental health system has been, and how they feel the system can be improved.

This study aims to provide a platform for nonbinary voices within mental health research. By allowing nonbinary people to share their experiences within the mental health system, this study will not only aid in improving the overall visibility of nonbinary individuals, but it may also help to inform mental health professionals on how to improve services provided to nonbinary individuals seeking mental health treatment.