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Welcome
LBGTQI+ Peers, Friends, Family and Allies

 HIGHLIGHTING THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY

 NAMI delivers educational and support resources for LGBTQI+ individuals, as well as promotes competency on LGBTQI+ issues for counseling professionals, community organizations and advocates. Website: www.nami.org

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(NAMI) - The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex (LGBTQI+) community represents a diverse range of identities and expressions of gender and sexual orientation. In addition to these identities, members of the community are diverse in terms of race, religion, ethnicity, nationality and socioeconomic class. This intersectionality — the combined and overlapping aspects of a persons’s identity — brings diversity of thought, perspective, understanding and experience. This complexity is important to understand as a unique and valuable aspect of the LGBTQI+ community that can result in a strong sense of pride and resiliency.

While belonging to the LGBTQI+ community can be a source of strength, it also brings unique challenges. For those who identify as LGBTQI+, it’s important to recognize how your experience of sexual orientation and gender identity relates to your mental health.

Although the full range of LGBTQI+ identities are not commonly included in large-scale studies of mental health, there is strong evidence from recent research that members of this community are at a higher risk for experiencing mental health conditions, especially depression and anxiety disorders. LGB adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a mental health condition. Transgender individuals are nearly four times as likely as cisgender individuals (people whose gender identity corresponds with their birth sex) individuals to experience a mental health condition.

For many LGBTQI+ people, socioeconomic and cultural conditions negatively impact mental health conditions. Many in the LGBTQI+ community face discrimination, prejudice, denial of civil and human rights, harassment and family rejection, which can lead to new or worsened symptoms, particularly for those with intersecting racial or socioeconomic identities.

 

Important Risk Factors Of Adult LGBTQI+ Mental Health

The LGBTQI+ community faces many forms of discrimination, including: labeling, stereotyping, denial of opportunities or access, and verbal, mental and physical abuse. They are one of the most targeted communities by perpetrators of hate crimes in the country. Such discrimination can contribute to a significantly heightened risk for PTSD among individuals in the LGBTQI+ community compared to those who identity as heterosexual and cisgender.

Substance Use
Substance misuse or overuse, which may be used as a coping mechanism or method of self-medication, is a significant concern for members of this community. LGB adults are nearly twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a substance use disorder. Transgender individuals are almost four times as likely as cisgender individuals to experience a substance use disorder. 

Homelessness
It is estimated that LGBTQI+ young adults have a 120% higher risk of experiencing homelessness — often the result of family rejection or discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Many members of the LGBTQI+ community face the added challenge of finding homeless shelters that will accept them, and experience elevated rates of harassment and abuse in these spaces.

Inadequate Mental Health Care
LGBTQI+ people experience discrimination in health care settings including but not limited to lack of cultural competency, harassment and humiliation by providers, and being turned away by hospitals, pharmacists, and doctors. Fear of discrimination can also discourage LGBTQI+ individuals from seeking care. Both circumstances result in LGBTQI+ people not accessing to the mental health care they need and deserve. For example, one study showed that 60% of LGBTQI+  young adults report that there had been a time in the past year when they wanted professional mental health treatment, but were unable to receive it.

Confronting these barriers and mental health symptoms with an LGBTQI+ inclusive mental health provider can lead to better outcomes, and ultimately recovery.  |  Learn more: www.nami.org

STONEWALL ALLIANCE CENTER

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The Stonewall Alliance of Chico celebrates diversity and is actively committed to fostering an environment of mutual respect. Stonewall is committed to providing a safe, fair, and welcoming environment to all and to building a team as diverse as our community where equal opportunities are available to a person without regard to race, color, sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical and mental ability, pregnancy or related statuses, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, religion, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Any discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics will not be tolerated. We know that the more diverse and inclusive we are, the better our work will be and the healthier our community will be.

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The Stonewall Alliance Center plays a vital role in educating the general public about sexual orientation and gender identity, and how to create more gender-inclusive spaces and policies. 

COUNSELING SERVICES

Stonewall Alliance Center's counselors are aware of the unique barriers that LGBTQ+ people face when accessing services. Stonewall provides an  atmosphere that is safe and welcoming for all members of the gender and sexual minority community.

Counseling is provided by Licensed and Pre-Licensed counselors. For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact the counseling program directly at 530.809.2485 or email them at counseling@stonewallchico.org

Learn more: Stonewallchico.com

Gay Couple Eating Popsicles

The Stonewall Alliance Center provides in-depth, specialized LGBTQ+ cultural competency and allyship skill-building and comprehensive training to mental health providers, educators, organizations, businesses and more. 

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GaL-AA (Gays and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous) was established to serve and have the involvement of lesbians, gay men, and others in Alcoholics Anonymous, regardless of how they choose to identify themselves. In selecting the name, careful consideration was given to a variety of combinations. While the name only directly reflects gays and lesbians, we embrace all LGBT+ members of the AA fellowship.  MEETING GUIDE APP
 

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Our goal is to further NA’s primary purpose by providing an LGBTQ+ voice to, and by fostering and mentoring our fellowship’s (LGBTQ) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning members’ participation in, SCRSC’s H&I, Public Relations (PI), Phonelines (PL), SBTW,  Cruise, Youth, Activities, Website committees services.  LEARN MORE

Clean and Sober Nation is a drug and alcohol recovery-support group on Facebook that was founded by Colusa County Recovery in August of 2022.  Our group embraces ALL pathways to recovery, including the 12-steps, evidenced-based models, medication assistance, and secular recovery.  Our discussion group provides an atmosphere of recovery, support, encouragement and fellowship; and features two unique 24-7 chat rooms and peer-supported recovery meetings. EVERYONE is welcome at Clean and Sober Nation.

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The Dynamic Duo For Anyone Seeking Recovery 

Combining Therapy and Support Meetings in Maximizing Recovery Outcomes

(Colusa County Recovery)  - Research has found that individuals who participate in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and support meetings are more likely to have long-term recovery outcomes. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals identify negative thought patterns and behaviors and replace them with positive ones. By addressing both the cognitive and behavioral aspects of addiction, CBT can be an effective tool in helping individuals manage their addiction and maintain sobriety.

Support meetings can provide individuals with a sense of purpose and meaning in recovery. Many support meetings, such as those based on the 12-step model, incorporate spiritual or higher power beliefs that can help individuals develop a greater sense of self-awareness and motivation. However, it's important to recognize that everyone's recovery journey is unique and what works for one person may not work for another.

Some individuals may find the spiritual or higher power aspects of the 12-step model to be helpful in their recovery, while others may feel more comfortable with a secular or non-spiritual approach. That's why it's important to offer individuals a range of options and choices when it comes to support meetings and recovery models. This includes 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, but also secular models like SMART Recovery and LifeRing.

"Ultimately, the objective of support meetings is to provide individuals with a sense of community and social support, regardless of the model they choose," says Susan Wagenaar, founder of Colusa County Recovery. "Through these meetings, individuals can connect with others who understand their struggles and provide support and encouragement along the way."

"By addressing both the cognitive and behavioral aspects of addiction and providing individuals with a supportive community, individuals can have a better chance of achieving long-term recovery outcomes," reports Wagenaar, who herself overcame a substance use disorder in 2019 with the help of CBT and regular attendance at support meetings.

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The California LGBTQ Health & Human Services Network is an LGBTQ-specific program of Health Access, bringing together more than 60 non-profit providers, community centers, and researchers to advocate collectively for state level policies and resources that will advance LGBTQ health. Founded in 2007, the Network provides coordinated leadership about LGBTQ health policy in a proactive, responsive manner that promotes health and well-being as part of the movement for LGBTQ equality, and ensures that there is a distinct LGBTQ voice in health policy decision-making venues. LEARN MORE

Below are additional resources specifically for the LGBTQI+ community