By: Sasha Millington, Durham CRP & Jack Register, High Point CM
The LGBTQI movement began as a riot. Black and Brown and Gender Non Conforming LGBTQI people stood up at Stonewall and said enough is enough. They fought for the ability to be who we are without harassment. The PRIDE we celebrate today is built on the courage of so many who have come before us.
Many LGBTQI people have struggled with substance use and/or mental health conditions because of discrimination. The recovery journey can be a lonely one if you do not know that others really know and see you as you are. Whether recovery is from a substance use disorder; a mental health disorder; or loving someone who is struggling with recovery we all want to be seen and heard as we are.
We at Eleanor Health are committed to serving those from the LGBTQI spectrum of communities. Our staff and our services are designed to address the needs of those who have not been honored because of gender identity/expression and/or sexual orientation. We have specialists from medical and counseling staff to our peer recovery specialists who see us as we are. We understand sexuality and gender as fluid and can walk with you through recovery.
Wherever you are in your journey, we can help. If you love someone who identifies as LGBTQI and is struggling with substance use and/or mental health concerns we can help. The statistics of suicide and overdose in our communities is staggering. Many of us struggle to find a place to be ourselves. We also struggle to find help from care providers who understand the needs we bring as well.
What we value most at Eleanor Health is that we can go beyond being LGBTQI “friendly.” We are an organization that lives its mission. Our team has the capacity to be transparent because we can be ourselves in our work. We can build genuine relationships with our members so that treatment is effective by being informed of the person’s needs. How do we do this? Eleanor Health embraces our team as they are where they are in the journey of identity and recovery.
Hear a little about our stories:
Sasha: I was looking to be seen or heard as my family did not accept me due to their Religious Beliefs. I self medicated, and did things that did not show the best version of myself because I wanted to “fit in”. At that time Therapy wasn’t really an option as I was unaware that it could be an option. Therapy within my community wasn’t talked about, and being gay while being black is also not to be talked about. The only options for me were 1)Establish a better relationship with God, and 2) try your best not to be gay as it shows disrespect to your family. When I finally began therapy I had many layers to unpack, and the environment that I began therapy in didn’t make me feel very comfortable to do so. I’m aware that they are usually support groups specialized for different things such as AA, or NA. But there weren’t any groups or anything really pertaining to LGBTQI for me to feel connected to.
Jack: I became a helper because I spent much of my life feeling broken and wrong. I never knew another person who was LGBTQI. I survived much abuse and ridicule because of who I am as a queer person. In this day and age where we see many folx out everywhere it can still be lonely and isolating if you do not feel safe to be yourself. Many of us are called crazy or turn to substances to cope with the emptiness we feel. I struggled for years to find a safe place to be myself.
Corbin: As CEO of Eleanor Health, and a member of the LGBTQI community, our commitment to the needs of the LGBTQI community are uniquely understood. For many in the LGBTQI community, societal pressures and the daily struggle and decision to be out and yourself can be stressful. Like the familiar head nod when you recognize that someone is a member of your LGBTQI family, working through recovery with those who have shared experience can feel more safe and affirming.
Research statistics have determined that the LGBTQI community has a greater likelihood than non-LGBTQI persons of experiencing a substance use dependence in their lifetime, and often enter treatment facilities with more severe substance use dependence. The importance of the LGBTQI community “being seen” is one of the reasons our chances are greater of having a SUD is due to not being seen and not being heard. It also contributes to many people within our community struggling with and ultimately being overwhelmed by death by suicide.
It does not matter if you are a person that is out or not, being with those who see you as you are feels good. When working with a member who identifies under the LGBTQI community they always appreciate it when we can be open about our fiancé in Sasha’s case or Jack’s chef hubby’s latest grilling adventure. We are open because when a person is ready to share something personal about themselves we want them to be comfortable. At Eleanor Health we want them to know that they don’t have to carry the weight of fear around.
Come on in and meet us (in person or virtually!) at Eleanor Health. You can request a free consultation, schedule an appointment or drop into our free, online LGBTQI recovery support group. We are happy to be of service and happy to celebrate PRIDE!
from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.blogspot.com/2020/06/finding-safe-recovery-space-when-you.html
via IFTTT
from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.wordpress.com/2020/06/13/finding-a-safe-recovery-space-when-you-identify-along-the-lgbtqi-spectrum/
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment