August 2019 • happiful.com • 9‘Transgender’
no longer
classed as a
mental health
disorder
In one giant step forward for
equality, the World Health
Organisation (WHO) will no longer
class transgender health issues as
a mental health disorder. In their
global manual of diagnoses, issues
related to gender will now be placed
within a chapter on sexual health.
Considered an outdated diagnosis
by many, reproductive health expert
at WHO, Dr Lale Say, explains: “It
was taken out from mental health
disorders because we had a better
understanding that this was not
actually a mental health condition,
and leaving it there was causing
stigma.”
Graeme Reid, LBGT+ rights
director at campaign group Human
Rights Watch, has spoken out about
the changes, saying they will have
a “liberating effect on transgender
people worldwide”.
In a joint statement, nine
organisations working on gender
identity declared that while the
move to the sexual health chapter
was by no means perfect, they
remained optimistic for the future.
“Today, we know that full
depathologisation can be achieved,
and will be achieved in our
lifetime.”
Here’s hoping future strides are
quick and plentiful for the LGBT+
community.
Writing | Kat NichollsGreat news for budding creatives,
recent research commissioned by
BBC Arts has revealed that even
a short length of time spent on
creative activities – like singing,
crafting, or sketching – can
have a significant impact on our
wellbeing.
The online survey of nearly
50,000 people across the UK
revealed that creative activities
can help us manage our stress
levels, face new challenges, and
explore new solutions to everyday
problems.
Produced in partnership with
University College London, the
Great British Creativity Test
asked participants which creative
activities they enjoy taking part
ARTS LGBT+
New research reveals creativity
helps with three key areas
Even a little creative indulgence can significantly improve
our sense of wellbeing
in regularly. Researchers then
identified three key ways that
we use creativity: first as a way
to distract ourselves from stress;
second to help us contemplate as
we reassess problems and make
plans; and third as a tool for self-
development.
No matter what your level of
skill, trying new creative activities
can positively impact how you’re
feeling. So if you’ve been thinking
about going along to an evening
class, or giving a new hobby a try,
this is your sign to go for it!Take the creativity test yourself
by heading to nquire.org.uk and
searching for ‘The Feel Good Test’.
Writing | Bonnie Evie Gifford