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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Should access to mental health services depend on you saying pronouns?

130 replies

wanttoworkbut · 23/07/2026 08:34

I think not...

I have been having a rough time of it lately and wanted to self refer to CBT. A chat bot greets me - fair enough, saves staff time taking down vital details.

But quite quickly you are asked for your gender, and not sex. Femail includes trans women, it says. OK, I could probably see why, if ones mental health difficulties related to have dysmorphia etc. But then you have to state pronouns, no option to say no or 'other' or skip question.

I've not continued, I can't face it. Therpay requires authenticity surely.

vitahealthgroup.co.uk/nhs-talking-therapies/newcastle/

OP posts:
WrongKindOfFeminist · 23/07/2026 09:39

Imdunfer · 23/07/2026 08:48

No-one is asking you to call anyone else by their preferred pronouns, they're asking you want to be called. Why are you allowing this to prevent you from getting access to mental health support?

Just in the same way somebody who is an atheist shouldn't be required to chant Hail Mary to access support.

WrongKindOfFeminist · 23/07/2026 09:38

OP, I'm so sorry. I hope you're okay.

Of course you shouldn't be forced to chant a catechism to access help.

This is an NHS service and one's beliefs, including gender critical beliefs, should be just as respected as genderist beliefs.

You can make a complaint:

https://vitahealthgroup.co.uk/contact-us/

Contact us - Vita Health Group

https://vitahealthgroup.co.uk/contact-us/

nicepotoftea · 23/07/2026 09:37

Imdunfer · 23/07/2026 08:48

No-one is asking you to call anyone else by their preferred pronouns, they're asking you want to be called. Why are you allowing this to prevent you from getting access to mental health support?

@wanttoworkbut Was there an option for 'you'?

Why are you allowing this to prevent you from getting access to mental health support?

Perhaps because it calls into question the quality of the support?

Asking for pronouns suggests that pronouns imply something about identity and the imposition forces the choice of an identity.

Answering also requires the respondent to understand the question which many people won't.

As much as this might be helpful for some people, it is very unhelpful for others. It shouldn't be difficult to have an n/a option or allow the question to be skipped.

TheywontletmehavethenameIwant · 23/07/2026 09:25

It speaks to the standard of help you might get once you get past the gatekeepers. If the resource you're trying to access starts off with lies, how much help is it going to be.
There are loads of videos on YouTube that might be of use OP, try watching some of them, they don't require you to jump through counterfactual hoops. They might be able to signpost you too help of the right sort.

Imdunfer · 23/07/2026 08:48

No-one is asking you to call anyone else by their preferred pronouns, they're asking you want to be called. Why are you allowing this to prevent you from getting access to mental health support?