This June, L.A. CADA continues to commemorate Pride Month with you. Did you know that 1.2 million Americans identify as Black and Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay Transgender, or Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+)? This community is dispersed across  the U.S., and can be found everywhere that Black folks live. Unfortunately, many live at the intersection of race, sexual orientation, identity —  and discrimination. According to a Gallup Daily Tracking Poll, about 80% of Black people – whether or not they’re LGBT – have experienced at least one discriminatory event that contributes to minority stress. D ..read more

This June, L.A. CADA continues to celebrate Pride Month with you. Have you ever wanted to be a good ally to LGBTQ+ people? Here are some suggestions from L.A. CADA’s behavioral healthcare staff: First, listen to LGBTQ+ people and educate yourself. Be open and truly listen to their stories, and ask questions respectfully.   Check your privilege. Many of us (including people in the LGBTQ+ community) have some type of privilege – whether it’s racial, class, education, being cis-gendered, able-bodied or straight. Being privileged doesn’t mean that you haven’t had your fair share of struggl ..read more

This June, L.A. CADA continues to celebrate Pride Month and recovery. People, those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer – about 7% of the U.S. population – are at least twice as likely to have mental health challenges as compared to the general population. LGBTQ+ people are a sexual minority, and minorities have different life experiences than those in the majority population.  People in the sexual minority have unique stressors that are not part of the heterosexual experience. For example, a gay man may worry that others will treat him poorly or that he’ll get fi ..read more

This June, L.A. CADA is celebrating Pride Month and recovery. As we know, the Stonewall riots in New York were a tipping point for the gay liberation movement. Initially commemorated on the last Sunday of June as “Gay Pride Day,” we now have an entire month to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture.  The LGBTQ+ community has overcome certain challenges and become more accepted. Yet, we still have much to address, including the increased risk of substance use disorders.  People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,  and queer/questioning have double the risk ..read more

Black Sexual Minorities and Behavioral Health Justice • June 2023 • From Juan Navarro, Executive Director Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Executive Director’s Message: June is Pride Month The LGBTQ+ rights movement has made some significant strides since its start with the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. Still, I always find myself asking, are we doing enough?  In 2011, a study reported that the harassment, discrimination and negative feelings about homosexuality that Black gay and bisexual men and trans women experience contributes significantly to mental health dis ..read more

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and that warrants a look at mental health treatments that are scientifically proven to work.  Let’s take a look at some of them: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the grandaddy of evidence-based treatment. Literally, thousands of well-designed research studies have been developed to test its effectiveness. CBT does what the name says. It works on changing patterns of thinking and behaviors that lead to dysfunctional feelings and behavior. Because it’s the most popular theoretical orientation taught in graduate schools, most therapists have receive ..read more