Crisis intervention centre for transgender people to come up at Kakkanad: Minister

In a major step towards inclusive social welfare, a dedicated crisis intervention centre for transgender individuals is coming up at Kakkanad, Ernakulam.

Minister for Social Justice R. Bindu announced the initiative at the Thrissur Press Club on Saturday. The centre will be inaugurated at 10 a.m. on May 12.

Kerala, the first State in the country to implement a transgender policy, continues to lead from the front in transgender empowerment. Under the Social Justice department, various schemes are being rolled out to ensure holistic development of transgender individuals, the Minister said.

“However, the transgender community still faces widespread discrimination, abuse, and mental trauma. From verbal abuse to physical assault and social exclusion, transgender individuals are often denied basic dignity. The new centre aims to provide immediate round-the-clock intervention and psychological support during such crises,” Ms. Bindu said.

The centre will function as a safe space for transgender individuals facing emergencies, offering mental health support, legal guidance, and crisis management. It will also coordinate between the Police, Health, and other departments.

There will be three trained counsellors and a dedicated coordinator at the centre. It has a 24-hour helpline (1800 425 2147). The centre will be run by transgender individuals themselves.

“This is not just a support system — it is a symbol of how far we’ve come in ensuring dignity and autonomy for the transgender community,” the Minister said.

In the previous fiscal, ₹24.75 lakh had been spent on renovating the building for the centre and ₹34 lakh was allocated for its operational activities in the current financial year, she added.