Creating Safer Spaces: Examining the Intersection Between Mental Health & LGBTQ+ Identities

This  workshop seeks to illuminate biases, encourage changes in behavior, aid in the development of better understanding of others, all in order to truly hold all fellow community members in “unconditional high regard”.

We know statistically that bullying, health disparities, stigma and discrimination are issues faced in higher rates by the LGBTQ+ community, in comparison to their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts. These occurrences can lead to significant life challenges and alarming suicide rates. The reality of these statistics is also that mental health service providers very likely to work with peer and/or clients that identify somewhere on the LGBT spectrum.

Our main objective is to help behavioral health professionals to offer more affirming, and safe, peer support services. We will talk about the history of the LGBTQ+ community in the US, share current research, define terminology, share general tips on language, answer participants' questions, and strategize tangible ways to apply what we learn in the future implementations.

The target audience for this training are peer support workers and behavioral health professionals, who live and/or work in Virginia.

This training will be facilitated by Megan Sharkey and Elizabeth Bouldin-Clopton.

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Please contact Heather Orrock, Acting Executive Director, with any additional questions.

(804) 343 1777 | heather@vocalvirginia.org

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This training was developed [in part] under grant number SM062993 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.