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A Community on the Margins, its Hidden Scars
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Context
The Netflix series Heeramandi, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, explores the lives of courtesans in pre-Independence India, shedding light on the challenges faced by sex workers under British colonial rule. The series brings to the forefront the mental health struggles of these women, reflecting broader, ongoing issues related to sex work globally, where mental health concerns often remain neglected.
Mental Health Issues Among Sex Workers
- Psychological Distress: Sex workers suffer from various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, exacerbated by violence, stigma, and exploitation.
- Impact of Stigma: Societal stigma, ostracisation, and criminalisation of sex work prevent sex workers from accessing basic health services, contributing to worsening mental health and psychological distress.
- Violence and Trauma: The prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual violence faced by sex workers, from clients, pimps, and law enforcement, leads to trauma and PTSD, intensifying their mental health problems.
Economic Pressures and Substance Abuse
- Economic Insecurity: Many sex workers are financially driven into the profession, with chronic economic stress and lack of alternative opportunities leading to anxiety and insecurity.
- Coping Mechanisms: Substance abuse, often as a coping mechanism for trauma and stress, compounds mental health issues, leading to addiction and further isolation.
- Isolation and Support Deficit: The social isolation faced by sex workers prevents access to support systems, worsening feelings of hopelessness and exacerbating mental health problems.
Lack of Specific Mental Health Interventions
- Gap in Mental Health Services: While India has focused on HIV prevention for sex workers, there is a significant lack of mental health services designed to address their unique needs.
- Targeted Initiatives: The Sonagachi mental health database project in Kolkata demonstrates the need for data-driven, targeted interventions for the mental health of sex workers.
- Comprehensive Interventions Needed: There is a call for comprehensive interventions that include legal protection, access to mental health services, and policies to combat stigma and improve economic opportunities for sex workers.
Practice Question
Q. What are the mental health challenges faced by sex workers in India? What measures can be taken to address these challenges and promote their well-being?
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