By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : June 04, 2026 3:52 pm
A total of 300 transgender individuals were screened as part of the study, with 82 identified as high-risk due to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and self-harm or suicidal tendencies
The George Institute for Global Health India study has demonstrated that a peer-led intervention model can substantially improve mental health outcomes among transgender individuals in resource-constrained settings.
The findings come from the Manthan study, the first intervention study of its kind in India focused on enhancing the mental health and well-being of the transgender community in Delhi NCR.
The study reported a significant reduction in depression and anxiety levels, alongside notable improvements in psychological well-being among participants from a community that continues to face stigma, discrimination, social exclusion, and disproportionately high mental health challenges.
The research paper, authored by Dr. Sandhya Kanaka Yatirajula, Prof. Pallab Maulik, Ms. Manmeet Kaur Bhatia, Mr. Naushad Alam Khan, Mr. Aman Rastogi from The George Institute for Global Health India, along with Mr. Vaideek Shukla, a member of the trans advisory group of Manthan, has been published in the Journal of Global Health Neurology and Psychiatry.
A total of 300 transgender individuals were screened as part of the study, with 82 identified as high-risk due to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and self-harm or suicidal tendencies. Of these, 62 participants completed the baseline assessment, while 58 completed the intervention programme.
Researchers found that the peer-led approach helped foster trust, encourage participation, and improve psychological well-being. The intervention created safe spaces where participants could share experiences, build emotional support networks, and address issues such as stigma, social isolation, anxiety, and depression.
Preliminary findings showed that depression scores declined from 13.1 to 7.0, while anxiety scores dropped from 11.2 to 6.0. More than 60% of participants achieved clinically significant improvements in depression scores, and nearly 59% experienced meaningful reductions in anxiety symptoms.
Dr. Sandhya Kanaka Yatirajula, Program Lead – Mental Health, The George Institute for Global Health India, said, “Manthan created a safe and inclusive environment where transgender individuals could openly discuss their lived experiences, emotional struggles, and mental health challenges without fear of judgement.”
Prof. Pallab Maulik, Director of Research at The George Institute for Global Health India, added, “The study demonstrates that community-led, peer-driven mental health interventions can play a transformative role in improving mental wellbeing among transgender individuals.”