Season 2
LGBTQ+ Mental Health
In this episode we discuss mental health needs and services for people in the LGBTQ+ community. People in the LGBTQ+ community are a diverse group with differing mental health needs. One distinction that mental health providers need to understand is the difference between affectational diversity, which describes who a person wants to be in a relationship with, and gender diversity which describes how a person views and expresses themselves. We can use language that is empowering, respectful and strengths focused to create a sense of safety and value for all people, and this may be especially important to engage people in the LGBTQ+ community in mental health services. The community may be more hesitant to seek care due to discrimination and stigma, which can negatively impact overall behavioral health. As mental health providers, we can be supportive allies when we remain open to learning and supportive of people’s experiences.
Hosts & Guests
Dr. Michelle Zechner
Anthony Zazzarino, PhD, LPC, ACS, CPRP
Assistant Program Director of MS and PhD programs, Assistant Professor
Resources
Center of Excellence, LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity
https://lgbtqequity.org/resources/
SAIGE (Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities)
https://saigecounseling.org/
SAMHSA, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Behavioral Health
https://www.samhsa.gov/behavioral-health-equity/lgbtqi
SAMHSA, A Practitioner’s resource Guide:Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children
https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/pep14-lgbtkids.pdf
SAGE (Advocacy and Services for LGBTQ+ Elders)
https://www.sageusa.org/
Takeaways From This Episode
People in the LGBTQ+ community have diverse experiences and may be less likely to seek out mental health services. Respectful and strengths-focused communication can help to create safety and engagement in services. Mental health providers can strive for cultural humility and be open to learning from their clients about preferences and needs.
Special Guest
Anthony Zazzarino, PhD, LPC, ACS, CPRP
Assistant Program Director of MS and PhD programs, Assistant Professor
Dr. Zazzarino (he/him) is the Assistant Program Director for MS and PhD programs and Assistant Professor at Rutgers, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions. His area of expertise is workforce development, affectional and gender identity, and psychiatric rehabilitation. He maintains a private counseling practice focused on adolescents and adults in NJ.
Stay Connected
The Northeast & Caribbean MHTTC served New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands and was based at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, within the School of Health Professions, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions.
During this time period, the organization provided essential training, technical assistance, and resource dissemination to support and enhance the mental health workforce.
With funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the MHTTC collaborated with organizations and practitioners providing mental health services to enhance their capacity for delivering effective, evidence-based interventions.
This site is now part of the Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC ARCHIVE.
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Counseling Professions
675 Hoes Lane West
8th Floor
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Dr. Ann Murphy
murphyaa@shp.rutgers.edu