Individual and Community Resources 

Don't Call the Police:
Community-based alternatives to police in your city

Findhelp.org - Search and Connect to Social Care
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, chat with them online via their website, or text HOME to 741741 (multiple languages available). If this is an emergency, call 911.

 Psychiatry.org - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning
LGBTQ individuals are more than twice as likely as heterosexual men and women to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime. They are 2.5 times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse compared with heterosexual individuals. Browse educational content specific or applicable to this patient population at this link.

Family Acceptance Project
The Family Acceptance Project™ is the only community research, intervention, education and policy initiative that works to decrease major health and related risks for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, such as suicide, substance abuse, HIV and homelessness – in the context of their families. We use a research-based, culturally grounded approach to help ethnically, socially and religiously diverse families decrease rejection and increase support for their LGBT children. The Family Acceptance Project (FAP), in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has developed, “Helping Families to Support their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Children.”  This critical new practitioner’s resource guide was written by Dr. Caitlin Ryan, FAP’s Director and is based on current research and more than a decade of family intervention work conducted by Dr. Ryan and her team.  The guide is available on SAMHSA’s website at http://store.samhsa.gov/

Family Equality Council
Family Equality Council connects, supports, and represents the one million parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender in this country and the two million children they are raising.

GLBT National Help Center
The GLBT National Help Center is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that is dedicated to meeting the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and those questioning their sexual orientation and gender identity. The Center is an outgrowth of the Gay & Lesbian National Hotline (toll-free 1-888-THE-GLNH, 1-888-843-4564), a national hotline providing peer counseling, information, and assistance with other resources available to gay and lesbian teens, which is now is a primary program of the GLBT National Help Center. They offer several different programs including two national hotlines that help members of our community talk about the important issues that they are facing in their lives. We help end the isolation that many people feel, by providing a safe environment on the phone or via the internet to discuss issues that people can’t talk about anywhere else. The GLBT National Help Center also helps other organizations build the infrastructure they need to provide strong support to our community at the local level.

GLSEN
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. GLSEN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the power of the LGBT community from the ground up. We do this by training activists, organizing broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and by building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement’s premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all.

GLMA Provider Directory
A resource for patients to search for local GLBT affirming physicians. Inclusive of healthcare providers of all sexual orientations and gender identities. If you are a mental healthcare professional, please join and invite your colleagues.

National LGBT Cancer Network
The National LGBT Cancer Network works to improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk through education, training and advocacy.

DrugRehab.com
Substance use disorders affect LGBTQ+ people more than they do the heterosexual population. The LGBTQ+ community must overcome several obstacles, including being denied substance abuse treatment because of their sexual identity. However, through the proper understanding and accommodation of LGBTQ+ care principles, substance abuse treatment can be successful. 

The Recovery Village
For those affected by addiction, it can be difficult to realize when outside resources and help should be sought. For the LGBTQ+ community, it can be even harder; addiction and sexuality can both seem like isolating, enveloping issues. The Recovery Village® offers a continuum of care for all types of substance use and co-occurring disorders from medical professionals who have years of experience in the field. In our judgment-free environment, you’ll be surrounded by people who care about your unique situation and want to help you overcome addiction for good. 

LGBTQ and Addiction: Granite Recovery Centers

In recent years, great strides have been made toward LGBTQ equality in the United States. Our team at Granite Recovery Centers is proud to have trained specialists to help guide individuals within the LGBTQ community through the process of seeking professional help for substance use disorders.

LGBTQ+ & Substance Abuse Guide

Even with a number of social advancements for rights, gay and transgender people face overwhelming levels of stigma, stress, and discrimination for their sexual and/or gender identity. Finding a gender-affirming treatment facility, or even a traditional treatment facility that has adequate cultural competency, can be pivotal in helping an LGBTQ+ person get the help they need for their recovery.

Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship

Bold.org is awarding a $750 Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship to students who have been impacted by mental health challenges. With this scholarship we hope to inspire greater awareness about mental health and fuel innovative solutions that help the millions of people who are suffering. All students who've personally experienced mental health challenges or had people close to them who have experienced mental health challenges are eligible. Students at any grade level or GPA will be considered.

Resources for the Aging LGBTQ+ Community Guide

LGBTQ+ individuals, and especially older adults, must be aware of these issues and understand how they are at an increased risk of developing them, because of their age as well as their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Being cognizant of the signs of mental illnesses and behavioral changes, cultivating a support network, and openly discussing these issues with a trained nurse, physician, or healthcare professional are all helpful ways to protect against mental health conditions.

How to Be an Ally to People Who Are Bisexual

The LGBTQ population is composed of people who fall on a variety of spectrums, including but not limited to gender and sexuality. Yet, even in a group that is characterized by inclusivity, a subset of that population can still feel marginalized. People who identify as bisexual, for example, sometimes encounter this marginalization in the form of bisexual erasure. 

Education and Advocacy Resources

AAMC
A first-of-its-kind document from the Association of American Medical Colleges lays out 30 core competencies that will be rolled into physician training. The goal: a culture change in how healthcare is provided to the LGBT community. Written by the AAMC’s Advisory Committee on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Sex Development.

AMA GLBT Advisory Committee
Access to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) health-related articles, podcasts, handouts and presentations produced by the AMA and other leaders in the GLBT health field. Resources on how to create an LGBT-friendly practice, communicate with LGBT patients, understand important LGBT health issues, spread awareness of LGBT health issues, and links to major organizations in LGBT health.
[subcategory]
AMA Patient Sexual Health History video (for healthcare providers, 10 mins)

AMA Policy Compendium of GLBT policies
Includes all policies relating to the health of GLBT persons.

Institute of Medicine Consensus Report
The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding
Free pdf book. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) asked the IOM to evaluate current knowledge of the health status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations; to identify research gaps and opportunities; and to outline a research agenda to help NIH focus its research in this area. The IOM finds that to advance understanding of the health needs of all LGBT individuals, researchers need more data about the demographics of these populations, improved methods for collecting and analyzing data, and an increased participation of sexual and gender minorities in research. Building a more solid evidence base for LGBT health concerns will not only benefit LGBT individuals, but also add to the repository of health information we have that pertains to all people.

MedlinePlus
The National Library of Medicine's web site for consumer health information. The site offers authoritative, up-to-date health information, without advertisements, and is available anytime, anywhere for free. Health consumers are encouraged to discuss search results with their health care provider.

National Coalition for LGBT Health
A federal advocacy group composed of LGBT health organizations throughout the nation. The Coalition is committed to improving the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals through federal advocacy that is focused on research, policy, education, and training. Our work on the initial Missions & Goals is organized around five areas: research; policy; programs and services; professional and cultural competency; and the diversity of the national LGBT community.

PubMed: MEDLINE Retrieval on the World Wide Web
Provides free access to MEDLINE, NLM's database of citations and abstracts in the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, health care systems, and preclinical sciences.

Sexual Orientation: Science, Education, and Policy
This site features work by Dr. Gregory Herek, an internationally recognized authority on sexual prejudice (also called homophobia), hate crimes, and AIDS stigma. It provides factual information to promote the use of scientific knowledge for education and enlightened public policy related to sexual orientation and HIV/AIDS. 

The Stonewall Center: A Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender Educational Resource Center
Aimed at college students and educators, with informative links for and about allies, gay men, bisexual persons, lesbian women, and transgender persons as well as excellent Ally Training materials and LGBT Bulletin Board Kits for RA's to use in their residence halls. The Stonewall Center provides support, advocacy, and programming for LGBTQ and allied students, staff, and faculty at UMass Amherst and for the larger Pioneer Valley. We also seek to educate the campus and local community about heterosexism, genderism, and sexual and gender prejudice in order to create a more inclusive and welcoming climate for LGBTQ individuals and their allies.

Do Specialized Services Exist for LGBT Individuals Seeking Treatment for Substance Misuse? A Study of Available Treatment Programs
SAMHSA’s LGBT-focused efforts include encouraging States to consider LGBT needs in administering their SAMHSA Block Grants resources, promoting a sexual and gender minority focus in funding announcements where it is appropriate, supporting creation of sexual orientation questions for HHS national surveys, and providing ongoing leadership to help stop bullying of LGBT youth that includes significant participation in the development of the LGBT section for StopBullying.gov, a major resource for helping victims, potential victims and their families, and for raising public awareness.

SAMHSA Publication: A Provider's Introduction to Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay. Bisexual and Transgender Individuals

 

Mental Health Professional Groups

American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association is the world’s largest psychiatric organization. It is a medical specialty society representing more than 36,000 psychiatric physicians from the United States and around the world. Its member physicians work together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental disorders, including intellectual developmental disorders and substance use disorders. APA is the voice and conscience of modern psychiatry. APA Members are primarily medical specialists who are psychiatrists or in the process of becoming psychiatrists.

American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA is the world's largest association of psychologists, with more than 137,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students as its members.
Our mission is to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives

Association of Family Psychiatrists
The Association of Family Psychiatrists supports psychiatrists involved in family therapy, family psychoeducation and family inclusive care, and provides resources to the therapy and consumer community. 

Association of Women Psychiatrists
AWP promotes inclusive leadership, professional development, and networking among women psychiatrists. AWP advocates for women psychiatrists and patients alike, through supporting mental health: research, education, and clinical care, informed by gender. AWP Fellowship information.

Ethnic Elders Care Network
A site designed specifically for people who are currently or will be caregivers to ethnic elders with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Ethnic Elders is dedicated to promoting research, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's diesease and related disorders and to providing education, support and assistance to ethnic minority elderly patients, their families and caregivers.

Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry
GAP is a think tank of top psychiatric minds whose thoughtful analysis and recommendations serve to influence and advance modern psychiatric theory and practice. 

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
The Nation's Voice on Mental Ilness - NAMI is dedicated to the eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement of the quality of life of all whose lives are affected by these diseases.

The National Mental Health Association
The country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans, especially the 54 million people with mental disorders, through advocacy, education, research and service.

LGBTQ-Focused Mental Health Professional Groups

AFFIRM: Psychologists Affirming their Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Family
A formal network among psychologists who support their LGBT family members.The AFFIRM network not only provides open support for our own family members, but also supports clinical and research work on LGBT issues within psychology and encourages sensitivity to the role of sexual orientation in all clinical and research work. Although much has been written within psychology about LGBT issues, this literature has tended to remain invisible to the mainstream profession. AFFIRM hopes to close this gap. The APA has provided support for our efforts to incorporate LGBT issues into mainstream psychology by means of an interdivisional grant. Some AFFIRM members also work with LGBT advocacy groups to provide public education information.

American Medical Association: GLBT Advisory Committee

American Medical Student Association: Gender and Sexuality Committee

American Public Health Association: LGBT Caucus of Public Health Workers

American Psychological Association: Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns (CLGBTC)

Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies: Study of GLBT Issues

Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
GLMA's mission is to ensure equality in health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and health care providers. GLMA is the world's largest and oldest association of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) health care professionals. GLMA's membership includes approximately 1,000 member physicians, medical students, nurses, physician assistants, researchers, psychotherapists and other health professionals.

The Lesbian and Gay Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Association (LAGCAPA)
LAGCAPA is an organization dedicated to the mental health needs of youth related to sexual minority issues. LAGCAPA is an affiliate of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), with which it works closely on a number of scientific, educational, and advocacy activities.

National Association of Social Workers: National Committee on LGBT Issues

National Resource Center on LGBT Aging

SAGE (Services and Advocacy For GLBT Elders)

Women in Medicine
This group and annual conferences are open to all female-identified physician and medical student members of the GLBT community, providing educational opportunities, social support and networking for members as well as funding for GLBT women's health research.

Resources for Practice Groups and Hospitals

The Fenway Institute's National LGBT Health Education Center
The National LGBT Health Education Center provides educational programming and consultation for health care organizations throughout the nation and the world with the goal of eliminating health disparities among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. The Education Center provides free, fully developed online Learning Modules, Grand Rounds, and Webinars, also suitable for individual healthcare providers looking for additional independent education. The Education Center is a part of The Fenway Institute, the research, training, and health policy division of Fenway Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, and one of the world’s largest LGBT-focused health centers.

Healthcare Equality Index
The Healthcare Equality Index is a resource produced by the Human Rights Campaign for healthcare facilities seeking to provide equitable, inclusive care to LGBT Americans—and for LGBT Americans seeking healthcare facilities with an explicit commitment to their care. Healthcare facilities use the annual online HEI survey to evaluate themselves against established criteria for LGBT patient-centered care, and results are publically available online (most recent report below).

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