Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Mental Health Resources

NAMI kicked off our efforts to increase inclusion and support of this community with a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Listening Session held at the NAMI 2007 annual convention. The resulting proceedings report outlines the specific goals and recomm endations set during this discussion. Click here for more information and to view the Proceedings Document.

A Mental Health Recovery and Community Integration Guide for GLBTQI Individuals: What You Need to Know- This 12-page colorful booklet covers a range of key issues in mental health recovery and comm unity integration such as treatment and rehabilitation, financial support, housing, employment, and peer support with specific information to address the unique needs of GLBTQI individuals embedded throughout.

GLBTQI Mental Health: Recommendations for Policies and Services- a companion publication to the booklet, A Mental Health Recovery and Community Integration Guide for GLBTQI Individuals: What You Need to Know, providing important considerations for service providers and policy makers, including an assessment of the barriers faced by GLBTQI individuals seeking mental health care, recommendations for practical strategies to address these barriers and a resource list.

NAMI GLBT mental health fact sheets:

To date, limited research and materials have been published about GLBT issues in mental health care.  With many thanks to the NAMI GLBT Leaders group, the Multicultural Action Center is proud to offer the following resources:

• Mental Health Issues among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) People

• Double Stigma: GLBT People Living with Mental Illness 

• Disparities in Mental Health Treatment among GLBT Populations

• Mental Health Risk Factors among GLBT Youth

• Tips and Resources for Family and Friends of GLBT Persons

*Contact us at MACenter@nami.org for an example of a one-page synthesis of the above fact sheets.

Other Resources:

• GLBT Terminology

• Being an Ally for GLBT People

• GLBT Consumers in the Mental Healthcare System

• Creating a GLBT-Affirmative Mental Healthcare Practice

• Suicidal Behavior in GLB Youth

• SAMHSA ADS Center Reducing Stigma and Discrimination among People who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender training powerpoint, featuring presentations by Mark Davis, Renae Sewell, and Nicholas Love.

The following resources have been provided by Mark Davis, founder of Pink & Blues:

• Community Generated Recommendations to Improve the Behavioral Health Services Provided to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons in Philadelphia
• Exclusion to Inclusion of Sexual and Gender Minorities in Behavioral Health Services
• GLBT Peer Support and Recovery
• Links to GLBT friendly resources and websites

Research:

• Helping Families Support Their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Children--by Caitlin Ryan, Ph.D., A.C.S.W., Director, Family Acceptance Project™, San Francisco State University; from the National Center for Cultural Competence, Georgetown University Center for Child & Human Development

• Raising Issues: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People Receving Services in the Public Mental Health System November 2004.  A comprehensive report by Dr. Alicia Lucksted detailling the GLBT peoples' experiences receiving mental health services.  Extensive analysis of both mental health care provider and consumer viewpoints, as well as examples of best practices of GLBT-affirmative self help and mental health programs.
• Executive Summary of Raising Issues report
• American Psycological Association Longitudinal Study on Bisexual Women

Other Links:

Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists- many resources offered including a directory of therapists who are gay and lesbian affirmative

Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Issues in Counseling

National Coalition for LGBT Health

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

National Youth Advocacy Coalition

PFLAG: Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays

Pink & Blues- contact Mark Davis, founder of the Philadelphia based GLBT peer support and recovery group, for more information.

www.bipolarbear.us - the Web site of Stephen Puibello, a member of the NAMI GLBT Leaders Group and an advocate for both LGBT mental health and HIV/AIDS issues. This site offers some valuable resources, including contact information for self-help and peer support groups as well as LGBT community centers supportive of mental health needs.

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