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BHSBS's Commitment to Serving the LGBTQ Community
The tragic violence in Orlando was aimed at the local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community, but it hit home with all of us, and BHSB offers its deepest sympathies to the community and to all those affected.
Taking place during National LGBT Pride Month, the violence is a reminder that we must remain focused on meeting the behavioral health needs within the LGBTQ community. Everyone faces behavioral health issues, but members of the LGBTQ community are often burdened with extra challenges. These can be tied to prejudice, hostility, bullying and other biases that LGBTQ individuals often experience simply because of their identity. Research shows that LGBTQ people are far more likely to have behavioral health issues:
- LGBTQ individuals are almost 3 times more likely than others to experience a mental health condition such as major depression or generalized anxiety disorder.
- Among transgender individuals, 41% report having attempted suicide, compared with 4.6% of the total population.
- LGBTQ youth are more likely to be homeless.
While we have made progress in behavioral care for this community, more needs to be done as some providers lack the training or understanding to work effectively with LGBTQ patients. BHSB is committed to addressing this disparity and we work diligently to give providers tools and resources to improve behavioral health care provided to members of the LGBTQ community. For more information on these resources and support BHSB can offer please contact Shanna Bittner-Borell at 410-637-1900.
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LGBTQ Resources
A range of LGBTQ friendly behavioral health programs and services are available in Baltimore City:
Chase Brexton LGBT Health Resource Center offers a range of health services for the LGBTQ community. The clinic offers walk-in hours and appointments. Call 410-837-2050 for an appointment or visit the Chase Braxton site here
Hearts and Ears, Inc. offers resources ranging from information on LGBTQ friendly somatic and behavioral health care providers, medication management and illness education, and more to aid individuals to make well informed decisions on the road to recovery. Call (410) 523-1694 or visit here
Transgender Action Group (TAG) providers a Grassroots response to identify and address the health, legal, and housing needs of transgender men and women engaged in sex work in Baltimore City. Call (410) 625-5428 or register to volunteer here
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB) publishes Gay Life, produces Baltimore Pride, and provides numerous other services to Baltimore's LGBTQ community. Call (410) 777-8145 or visit GLCCB page here for more information
National LGBT Health Education
Center provides educational programs, resources, and consultation to health care organizations with the goal of optimizing quality, cost-effective health care for LGBTQ people. Visit their webpage here for details
SAMHSA LGBTQ Training Curricula for Providers offers information and resources on how to begin the process of helping your agency provide culturally competent care for the LGBTQ community. Visit SAMSHAs page here to see more of their resources
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Changing the Conversation through Art
The New Day Campaign will host its 2016 Kick-off event on June 23, 2016 from 4-8 pm at The Institute for Integrative Health located at 1407 Fleet St, Baltimore, Maryland. The campaign is a movement that utilizes art and public engagement to challenge the stigma and discrimination associated with substance use and mental illness. The kick-off event will feature visual art, performances, sharing from old friends and new, great food, a preview of programming for 2017, and information about being a part of the Founders' Circle. For more information on the Kick-Off Event and to RSVP visit here.
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Upcoming Events
The Elevation: Community Continuum Resource Fair
June 17, 2016 from 10am - 1 pm.
Baltimore War Memorial 101 N. Gay Street Baltimore, MD.
The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Baltimore City Detention Center, Baltimore's Safe and Sound Campaign and the Mayor's Office of Human Services will host a resource fair offering tools for those returning from incarceration and their families. For more information please contact Renard Brooks at renard.brooks@baltimorecity.gov or call 410-396-1809 The Elevation 2016.pdf.
Baltimore Pride 2016
Over the past four decades, Baltimore Pride has evolved from a small rally of a dozen activists to a full-fledged festival that welcomes 30,000 people annually. Festivities begin in July. For questions or more information please call Baltimore Pride at 410.777.8145, or email Jabari Lyle at jlyles@baltimorepride.org. For the details of local events visit Baltimore Pride's webpage here
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Training
September 21, 2016 from 4-8 pm.
Chesapeake College Higher Education Center (HEC) Room 110: 1000 College Circle Wye Mills, MD.
This training is an introductory course to SBIRT and how it can assist primary care physicians address SUD among patients. The training will feature local addiction and SBIRT experts - Christopher Welsh, MD, University of Maryland Medical and Center, and Carlo DiClemente, Ph.D., University of Maryland Baltimore County. For more information click here |
Do you or someone you know need treatment
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Help is now available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Talk to a live, trained professional at any time of the day or night!
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One North Charles Street, Suite 1300 | Baltimore, MD 21201 | 410-637-1900
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