NCJ Number
245616
Date Published
2013
Length
70 pages
Annotation
This document examines strategies for treating mental health in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)community.
Abstract
Despite recent advances in understanding and acceptance, LGBT individuals remain subject to the traumas of negative stereotyping, rejection, marginalization, and discrimination which can impede help-seeking behaviors. LGBT individuals with mental health problems, addictions, or both, may experience additional forms of prejudice and discrimination related to each of those conditions. This document provides dialogue to develop and/or enhance partnerships among people in recovery, to identify specific factors at the individual and systems levels that can promote or hinder recovery for LGBT individuals, and to help participants gain a better understanding of a variety of perspectives and experiences in advancing recovery for LGBT individuals. The suggestions and recommendations summarized in this document can serve as a starting point for individuals and organizations interested in taking concrete action to improve recovery opportunities for LGBT individuals. This document covers: dialogue themes and findings; eight major themes regarding personal-level factors that promote or impede recovery, and system and contextual factors that promote or impede recovery; recommendations for action both major and strategic; and milestones in the LGBT mental health consumer movement. Appendixes