FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Austin, Texas – As Central Texas gears up to celebrate its local Pride celebration on Saturday, August 10th, Integral Care is honored to announce its recent designation of High Performer in the Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Healthcare Equality Index. The Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest civil rights organization dedicated to protecting LGBTQ rights, puts out its Healthcare Equality Index each year.

 

As a result of historical oppression, social stigma and systemic health care challenges, people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ+) experience mental health and substance use challenges at alarmingly higher rates than those who do not identify as LGBTQ+. The Healthcare Equality Index’s objectives include ensuring foundational non-discrimination protection for clients and staff, cultivating an inclusive workplace by providing LGBTQ+ inclusive employee policies and benefits, and demonstrating engagement with and public commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.

 

“Our vision of healthy living for everyone includes our LGBTQIA+ clients,” says Integral Care CEO Jeff Richardson. “That’s why we constantly work to improve experiences for our LGBTQIA+ clients, community, and staff. This national designation from the Human Rights Campaign recognizes our commitment to serving diverse communities through innovative programming and supports to meet community needs.”

 

CommUnityCare and People’s Community Clinic were also recognized in the 2024 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). The Central Health Equity Policy Council led the initiative, prioritizing inclusive, non-discriminatory healthcare for all Travis County residents.

 

Data

  • LGBTQ individuals are more than twice as likely as heterosexual men and women to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime. They are 2.5 times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse compared with heterosexual individuals. Source: American Psychiatric Association
  • Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual adolescents are more than twice as likely to report experiences of persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness than their heterosexual counterparts. Source: CDC
  • LGBTQ+ youth of color are at higher risk for mental health issues compared to their white LGBTQ+ counterparts. A survey by the Trevor Project found that LGBTQ+ youth of color reported higher rates of suicide attempts compared to white LGBTQ+ youth.
  • The prevalence of serious mental illness (SMI) in the past year was more than three times higher among bisexual males than among straight males and more than twice as high among gay males than among straight males. Source: SAMHSA

 

An environment of discrimination contributes to these inequities. Marginalized groups often face systemic barriers that limit access to quality healthcare, mental health services, and social support. The stress and trauma associated with experiencing discrimination can exacerbate mental health issues and lead to poorer health outcomes overall.

 

ABOUT INTEGRAL CARE:

Integral Care improves the lives of adults and children living with mental illness, substance use disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities in Travis County. Our services include a 24-hour helpline for anyone who needs immediate support, ongoing counseling to improve mental health, drug and alcohol treatment to help with recovery, and housing to regain health and independence. As the Local Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority, Integral Care has pioneered high-quality, community-based care since 1967, collaborating with partners to build a supportive network and combat mental health stigma in Austin.

 

  • The Integral Care Community AIDS Resources and Education (C.A.R.E.) program helps adults living with or at risk of getting HIV who also live with a mental illness and/or use alcohol or drugs. We offer mental health services and drug and alcohol treatment. Services include individual and group counseling, education and harm reduction supplies like needle cleaning kits, safer smoking kits and opioid overdose kits. We also have an outreach team in the community providing referral and linkage to community services.
  • Integral Care leads the Austin-Central Texas Suicide Prevention Coalition, which provides community education, advocacy, and resources.
  • Integral Care offers Mental Health First Aid to teach community members the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as how to provide someone with initial support until they are connected with appropriate professional help.

 

To learn more about Integral Care, visit our website at: www.integralcare.org

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Debra Joiner, Director of Communications and Engagement, debra.joiner@integralcare.org