Dear Supporter,
Great news! Despite catastrophic budget cuts, Equality California Institute's California LGBT Health and Human Services Network has just been awarded a two-year $444,000 grant from the California Department of Mental Health.
EQCAI and our coalition partners worked overtime to secure this first-of-its-kind grant to assess the needs of LGBT individuals, including youth and seniors.
The two-year study will include information about the harm caused by discrimination and identify the best ways to prevent and treat mental health issues in the LGBT community — life-changing issues such as depression, substance abuse and suicide.
For the first time, we will have meaningful data on how to improve treatment for the California LGBT population. For the first time, healthcare providers, consumers and organizations will come together to set priorities for the mental health needs of the LGBT community. For the first time, the door will be open to government funding for the incredible organizations who service our community.
The report the Network generates because of this grant will literally change the face of mental health services in California and be a model for the rest of the nation.
Warmly,
Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California Institute