Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People Receiving Services in the Public Mental Health System: Raising Issues

Abstract

SUMMARY The growing literature about psychotherapy with LGBT clients rarely addresses serious mental illnesses or mental health care settings such as inpatient, psychosocial rehabilitation, day programs, or residential care. Nor does much of existing literature address the public mental health system. In 1997, the federal Center for Mental Health Services (part of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the federal Department of Health and Human Services) commissioned a review of current knowledge regarding the experiences, needs, and recommendations of LGBT people with serious mental illnesses. This article offers a summary of that multi-year project. Using qualitative methods and analysis, this study combines information from archival sources, published and unpublished literature, and key informant interviews to highlight questions and themes important to the welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people receiving public/community mental health services. This pape...