Rainbow Health’s Post

Join NIMH for a webinar on August 22, "Understanding Stigma and Discrimination as Drivers of Mental Health Disparities for Diverse, Rural, LGBTQ+ Communities." The webinar will present the goals and procedures of the Rural Engagement and Approaches For LGBTQ+ Mental Health (REALM) study, which is developing a longitudinal cohort of diverse LGBTQ+ adults residing in rural and small metropolitan communities across the United States. Challenges with online recruitment and enrollment and creative solutions will be shared, in addition to lessons learned on ensuring participant safety. The webinar will end with a description of the cohort to date and share preliminary baseline findings related to the study aims. Register now: https://go.nih.gov/KzYGSTz

Join us for our webinar on August 22, "Understanding Stigma and Discrimination as Drivers of Mental Health Disparities for Diverse, Rural, LGBTQ+ Communities." The webinar will present the goals and procedures of the Rural Engagement and Approaches For LGBTQ+ Mental Health (REALM) study, which is developing a longitudinal cohort of diverse LGBTQ+ adults residing in rural and small metropolitan communities across the United States.   Challenges with online recruitment and enrollment and creative solutions will be shared, in addition to lessons learned in how to ensure participant safety. The webinar will end with a description of the cohort to date and share preliminary baseline findings related to study aims. Register now: https://go.nih.gov/KzYGSTz 

We’re encouraged by significant strides in healthcare, but many LGBTQ+ youth remain unable to access much-needed mental health services. Limited access to culturally aware care providers, socio-economic barriers, and geographical limitations further complicate the situation.   In this recent article, Dr. James A. Polo, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer for Carelon Behavioral Health, emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to continually train and adapt to the unique needs of these young patients. He also suggests engagement with digital solutions, including Telebehavioral Health (TBH), which bridges treatment gaps and brings experienced care providers to the LGBTQ+ community.   As we raise awareness this month for inclusive and equitable healthcare for all, Dr. Polo’s article is worth the read: https://lnkd.in/eZxvVfuH   #MentalHealthAwareness #HealthEquity

Register to Attend Our Webinar: Understanding Stigma and Discrimination as Drivers of Mental Health Disparities for Diverse, Rural, LGBTQ+ Communities

The LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately affected by eating disorders and bias in terms of receiving the help they need. This topic is a big one in the recovery community, and I will bend over backwards to try and tell their stories in the media. Big thanks to Serena Nangia at Project HEAL for knocking this KUSA-TV, 9NEWS interview out of the park and an extra big thanks to Greg Martin-Burnam for being an amazing producer to work with each and every time 😃 If you haven't checked it out yet, Project HEAL, along with EAT LAB at University of Louisville, just completed and published a 1.5 year study on "Eating Disorder Treatment Access in the United States: Perceived Inequities Among Treatment Seekers" of 1995 individuals 18 and older in the USA. No study has comprehensively assessed treatment access issues for those with these disorders in the United States. The authors examined access to eating disorder treatments and how it might vary among some populations. Highlights include: - Financial barriers were the most endorsed (81%), followed by disorder identification (80%), sociocultural (73%), treatment quality(66%), and geographic (39%) barriers. - 70% of the sample reported weight stigma as a barrier to receiving quality ED treatment, 56% reported they weren’t diagnosed with an eating disorder until it was much more entrenched and harder to treat, 44% reported that people discouraged them from seeking treatment because they didn’t seem sick enough, 44% reported the right level of care is or was not covered by their insurance. - Those with a household income ≤$70,000 reported significantly more barriers than those with a household income >$70,000. - 70% of the sample reported weight stigma as a barrier to receiving quality ED treatment, 56% reported they weren’t diagnosed with an eating disorder until it was much more entrenched and harder to treat, 44% reported that people discouraged them from seeking treatment because they didn’t seem sick enough, 44% reported the right level of care is or was not covered by their insurance. Let's keep these conversations going. They're truly so needed. #PRIDE #PRwin #eatingdisorders https://lnkd.in/gAq_SR79

September is Suicide Awareness Month. LGBTQ youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society. Here are some facts about LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide by The Trevor Project. #LGBTQ #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #wellbeing

As we close out #AAPIHeritageMonth and start #Pride, some data on the specific health challenges faced by AAPI LGBTQ+ people. https://lnkd.in/ePaiZS99

ARTICLE: LGBT adults face increased challenges when it comes to mental health outcomes and access to care, their physical health, and barriers to accessing and affording needed care. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e_VDa_PC

This report examines the challenges faced by LGBT adults within healthcare settings, as well as their experiences dealing with severe mental health crises, homelessness, well-being, stress, and accessing mental health services. Recognizing the historical harms of the health care system, AHCH strives to be a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals. AHCH will continue to provide trauma-informed, empathetic, and high-quality care to all individuals experiencing homelessness. Housing and Health Care is a human right, nobody should be excluded because of who they love or how they identify. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3XqEeK3 #HR365

Overcoming years of discrimination, stigma, and exclusion takes a toll on one’s mental health. Fortunately, we’ve made progress in creating resources and services to support #LGBTQ+ elders navigating mental health disparities. Check out this article where SAGE’s Darcy C. shares insights on current issues and advocacy efforts: https://lnkd.in/e3CHmAc3