Mental Health Awareness Month
As we honor Mental Health Awareness month, it’s important to know the resources available to us and to our communities. According to NAMI, 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year, but less than two-thirds get treatment. The term “treatment” itself can be stigmatizing, and support & resources look different for everyone. Support might come in the form of talk therapy, text therapy, a support group, psychiatric care (medication), residential care, or even an app!
Our LGBTQ communities experience mental health issues at higher rates than the general population. We believe this occurs based on the stress experienced by our communities (the “minority stress model”), whereby LGBTQ folx and folx with intersecting marginalized & oppressed identities face a hostile, homophobic, transphobic & white supremacist culture & environment. These are not “organic” mental health issues – they’re rooted in navigating a world of systemic violence & oppression on LGBTQ communities & communities of Color.
For Callen-Lorde patients living with mental health issues, we offer individual, group talk therapy & psychiatric care (medication) on-site & via telehealth. These services are always in high demand & because we sometimes don’t have availability, we work with several LGBTQ-affirming & sensitive partners who also provide the services. Callen-Lorde services are available to patients who have Medicaid or are uninsured & for whom outpatient (walk-in) services are considered most helpful.
Talking about mental health is a great first step. It’s so important that people who live with mental health issues know they’re not alone. Mental health issues (and especially depression) can lead people to feel alone & vulnerable. People with depression sometimes view themselves, the world & the future with a sense of hopelessness. These feelings can be overwhelming or unmanageable & it’s vital that people living with mental health issues know that there are resources out there to help.
Below are just some of the many resources available in the NYC area & at the national level. In addition, there are some videos & fact sheets that can help people navigating mental illness find connections & get help. These & more resources are available at the NAMI website, here.
- If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
- If you or someone you know is in a crisis or is experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255)
- If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text CallenLorde to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.
- Find therapy resources and help to support queer BIPOC communities here.
- Learn more about anxiety from someone living with anxiety here.
- Learn more about bipolar disorder from someone living with bipolar disorder here.
- Learn more about borderline personality disorder from someone living with borderline personality disorder here.