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.

An important part of this issue is what’s called ‘minority stress.’ This is the negative psychological impact that can happen when being a part of a stigmatised minority. This stress increases when people in our communities are excluded from an institution which values and validates relationships. The Australian Psychological Society has recently endorsed the public position statements of the American Psychological Association, which clearly states that marriage equality improves mental health and the exclusion from marriage causes psychological harm. These are great reasons to keep writing letters to your local MP and Coalition MP’s about why marriage equality is important for you. Politicians tell us that the biggest thing that sways them is the heart felt letters and meetings with real people whose lives would improve if they had the choice to marry

Paul Martin is the Principal Psychologist at the Centre for Human Potential. www.cfhp.com.au