The LGBTQ+ community faces high rates of mental health conditions and substance use disorders. These conditions are 1.5 times more likely to occur in gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals than in their heterosexual counterparts. To make matters worse, individuals in the LGBTQ+ community are less likely to receive the help they need. 

If you or a loved one is suffering from these issues, you may not even know how to find mental health and addiction services for LGBTQ+ community members. Learn more about why finding specialized services is important and get tips on choosing the right programs.  

Benefits of Specialized Treatment 

Not all mental health and addiction services are the same. You probably know that instinctively but may not have a clear idea of why searching for those that have programs catering to the LGBTQ+ community is vital. 

“Treatment programs that specialize in helping members of the LGBTQ+ community can help reduce the anxiety and fear of being judged while undergoing care.”

Members of the LGBTQ+ community face unique challenges. Although there is more societal acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals than there was just a decade ago, discrimination and stigma are still serious concerns. Facing these issues day after day takes a toll on mental health and increases the likelihood of substance use.

General mental health and addiction services may not address all of the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Societal stigma that has seeped into the healthcare system might prevent minorities from reaching out for help. Past negative experiences with the system can also exacerbate the problem. 

Treatment programs that specialize in helping members of the LGBTQ+ community can help reduce the anxiety and fear of being judged while undergoing care. Because a big part of recovery from mental health concerns and substance use disorders is community support, having programs where you get to meet peers who have lived through similar experiences is vital. 

Programs that cater to LGBTQ+ individuals will also have therapists and other providers who have in-depth knowledge of the specific issues that affect that community. They can address family issues, lack of support, trauma, and discrimination in more impactful ways. Ultimately, this leads to better outcomes. 

How to Find Mental Health and Addiction Services for LGBTQ+ Individuals

It’s important to address a significant issue: there are still not many treatment programs that specialize in helping the LGBTQ+ community. It can be even more difficult to find an insurance-approved rehab. So what can you do to help yourself through the process? 

“Remember, the right therapist won’t debate your identity.”

Know What to Look For

First of all, you need to know what an appropriate program should offer. Here are some of the components to watch for. Vitally, you want to choose services that offer LGBTQ+-affirming treatment. This means respectful therapy that doesn’t try to “fix” your identity but encourages you to embrace who you are while dealing with mental health concerns. 

The program should have therapists who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. It doesn’t have to be all of them, of course, but you want to feel represented. Remember, the right therapist won’t debate your identity. 

Ask Your Community

An excellent way to get help finding a program that meets your needs is to ask your local LGBTQ+ community. Because mental health and addiction issues are statistically prevalent among minorities, someone you trust might be able to point you to the right program. 

Just because someone recommends a treatment program doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your research, however. Take the time to read up on the services to see if they match your needs. 

Go Online

You can find pretty much everything online. Do a quick search, and you’ll get lots of results. Be cautious when making a choice. Visit the sites of the various programs to get a sense of whether they offer LGBTQ+ services but also look for reviews. What kind of experiences did minorities have when getting treatment?

The recovery process is tough for everyone, so it’s unlikely that the experiences are all positive, but one important word has to be present throughout the reviews: respect. If any people felt disrespected or dismissed because of their identity, cross that program off. 

Work With a Treatment Program-Matching Expert

An excellent way of finding the right program is to contact treatment program-matching providers. They assess your exact needs and recommend programs that can make a difference in your path to mental health and sobriety. They have extensive contacts, so these services can quickly get you the right level of help. 

Contact Trusted Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Consultants

If you’re battling a substance use disorder or a mental health concern and you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, finding care that addresses your exact needs can be tough. That search is not something that you want to go through on your own. That is where a recovery consultant can come into play. 

At Never Alone Recovery, we understand what you’re going through. It’s not easy to ask for help, but doing so puts you on the path to recovery. Our team focuses on finding the right treatment programs, and we do this by performing a full assessment of your background as well as of your mental health concerns or substance use disorder. 

Whether you need an inpatient Indiana rehab or mental health outpatient services, we’ll use all of the information we gather to place you in the most promising program. Don’t wait to get started on your path to healing. Contact our team at Never Alone Recovery by calling 866-788-8335.