A program for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals with major mental illness

Lesbian, Gay, and Transgender Persons with Severe Mental Illness: Negotiating Wellness in the Context of Multiple Sources of Stigma

“…The lack of attention to this topic has persisted despite (a) estimates of up to a half a million lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons with SMI in the United States (Hellman, 1996); (b) 25 years of repeated calls for inquiry in the area (Avery, Hellman, & Sudderth 2001;Campbell, Schraiber, Temkin, & Tusscher, 1983;Hellman & Klein, 2004;). Lucksted, 2004); (c) a large body of research into the mental health of sexual minorities, not including SMI, focusing on anxiety, substance use, and depression within a minority stress framework; and (d) a substantial, if largely outdated and discounted, historical literature on the topic.…”

“Coming Out” of Prison: An Exploratory Study of LGBT Elders in the Criminal Justice System

“…Organizations like The Rainbow Heights Club, a self-help and advocacy program specifically designed to provide services to LGBT individuals may be a key component in community reintegration (Hellman and Klein, 2004). Located in Brooklyn, New York, Rainbow Heights describes itself as an advocacy program for LGBT who are mental health consumers.…”

Lesbian, Gay, and Transgender Individuals with Mental Illness: Narratives of the Acceptance Process

“…The movement of recovery in mental illness services does not refer to symptom reduction alone, but rather engaging in a process of living a meaningful and satisfying life (Davidson & Roe, 2007). However, there is a general lack of research on LGBT individuals with mental illness, despite the need for further study of recovery among this group (Hellman & Klein, 2004;Lucksted, 2004). In particular, the double stigma of mental illness and LGBT identity may pose barriers to the process of acceptance of mental illness, an essential component of recovery (Deegan, 1996;Mizock & Russinova, 2013;Ridgway, 2001;Spaniol & Gagne, 1997).…”

“…Implications are suggested for psychotherapy and research pertaining to the process of acceptance of mental illness for LGBT individuals with mental illness. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals with mental illness are uniquely affected by stigma, interfering with recovery from mental illness (Hellman & Klein, 2004;Lucksted, 2004). The movement of recovery in mental illness services does not refer to symptom reduction alone, but rather engaging in a process of living a meaningful and satisfying life (Davidson & Roe, 2007).…”

“…Additionally, LGBT individuals with mental illness may experience higher levels of comorbid psychiatric disorders, complicating treatment and prognosis (Hellman et al, 2010).…”