|
Dear Community Partners,
During June, we celebrate Pride Month and honor the invaluable contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals to our society. At DMH/DD/SUS, we also recognize the community’s disproportionate struggle with mental health, substance use and suicide in a society that unfortunately does not always respect and value all people equally.
The disparities are troubling:
-
LGBTQ individuals are more than twice as likely as heterosexual men and women to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
-
LGBTQ youth are twice as likely to experience depression, seriously consider suicide, plan for suicide, and attempt suicide than their peers.
-
LGBTQ adults are nearly twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a substance use disorder (SUD).
-
Transgender individuals are almost four times as likely as cisgender individuals to experience a SUD.
-
More than 50% of LGBTQ+ adults of color in the United States face significant mental health challenges.
Clearly, our strategies for increasing access to mental health services for all North Carolinians must take into account the evidence of a widely disproportionate need among people who are LGBTQIA+. At DMHDDSUS, we work toward a more inclusive and equitable future through investments and resources for under-served communities.
Through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, we’re providing 24/7 specialized support for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults experiencing mental health or substance use crises. Callers can press #3 to be connected to counselor with special training to support people who are LGBTQIA+.
We also invest in resources that offer targeted, affirming, culturally competent care and services for the LGBTQIA+ community. These include the Charlotte Trans Health – PATH Program, which addresses healthcare disparities for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals, providing case management, therapy and medical care for uninsured/underinsured TGD individuals.
We invest in the North Carolina chapter of the United Chinese Americans Wellness, Advocacy, Voices, Education, and Support (UCA WAVES) program as well, which supports LGBTQIA+ and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities through peer support for youth, mental health first aid, and educational programming.
Another resource, the Quality Comprehensive Health Center (QCHC) improves health access and equity for underserved LGBTQIA+ and faith-based communities.
This month and year-round, let’s remember we all deserve access to quality, trauma-informed support, especially in our most vulnerable moments.
My best,
Kelly
Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
(she/her)
Director
Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
| 
