Recently a group called ‘Psychologists for Marriage Equality’ was formed to draw attention to the link between marriage equality and mental health.
People have been asking me why we have started a group called Psychologists for Marriage Equality and why the mental health of the most vulnerable in our communities is impacted by being excluded from the choice to marry. MP’s that we regularly lobby in Canberra are also starting to sit up and take notice of this issue. It is so important for the wellbeing of our communities that people understand the link between marriage equality and mental health.
Psychological damage is done when marriage equality is debated. This is due to community leaders such as Margaret Court making negative statements about who we are and why she believes we shouldn’t be able to marry. These types of comments confirm negative beliefs that many same sex attracted people already have about themselves. Many can brush off these comments but for those who are psychologically vulnerable it can be yet another brick in the wall towards depression, anxiety, substance abuse and even suicide.
Paul Martin is a clinical psychologist based in Brisbane, and a founding member of Psychologists for Marriage Equality.
To read the American Psychological Association’s resolution on marriage equality, click here.