26Health

is a non-profit, 501c3 corporation providing mental health, behavioral, substance abuse, primary care, transgender health, and related services to individuals in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community who live in and around the Central Florida area. We provide these services with a diverse staff in a culturally competent setting which promotes optimum health and wellness. The Centers for Disease Control reports “People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) are members of every community. They are diverse, come from all walks of life, and include people of all races and ethnicities, all ages, all socioeconomic statuses, and from all parts of the United States. The perspectives and needs of LGBT people should be routinely considered in public health efforts to improve the overall health of every person and eliminate health disparities. In addition to considering the needs of LGBT people in programs designed to improve the health of entire communities, there is also a need for culturally competent medical care and prevention services that are specific to this population. Social inequality is often associated with poorer health status, and sexual orientation has been associated with multiple health threats.” (3/25/2014). In January 2011, The Advocate magazine, one of the LGBT community’s premier sources for news and community information world-wide since 1967, declared Orlando contains the 4th largest LGBT population in the United States; however population six does not necessarily equate availability of specialized or culturally competent services.

26Health, Inc., has been serving the Central Florida mental health needs of LGBT individuals since 2015. We recognize the need to develop opportunities for open-access and service expansion to help LGBT-clients and patients, regardless of socio-economic status or ability to pay for such services. Additionally, transgender clients face additional challenges in receiving not only competent mental health services, but physical health services as well. Research has shown there exists a critical need to provide culturally competent services to low- to moderate-income LGBT people in an environment that is also safe and welcoming. It is not enough for a health care agency to be aware, or even knowledgeable, of the health care needs that exist for LGBT people. The environment must also provide the same level of cultural competence. LGBT persons with good incomes and good insurance will actively seek health care providers that are not only LGBT-friendly, but provide those services in an environment that is assuredly welcoming and culturally competent as well. They will not go to places where they don’t feel welcome. LGBT persons with low to moderate incomes rarely have a choice in the public services they need to access. They are unable to choose from a variety of private providers so, therefore, they often choose not to go. If the waiting room environment or front office staff does not appear culturally competent or welcoming, many will choose to not access those services. People not accessing needed services will result in continued health disparities and continued higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even suicide.