Programs and Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning
People with Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorders
Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) are available in DMHAS state-operated facilities. GSAs support people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) and their allies by creating safe environments in mental health and substance use disorder facilities to support each other.
Recovery is a challenging process. So is the process of coming out as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning. We have found that having a safe space for people to be supported within our treatment facilities is very helpful.
GSAs are not just for LGBTQ people. Allies of LGBTQ people are welcomed and an important part of the mission of GSAs. Partnership with allies provides mutual support to LGBTQ people and our allies.
Our hope is one day GSAs will exist throughout the DMHAS system.
Current DMHAS Gay/Straight Alliances:
- RVS/CVH:
- Tileen Sebastiano, tileen.sebastiano@ct.gov
- Emily Wickman, emily.wickman@ct.gov
- Greater Bridgeport Mental Health YAS:
- Melissa Bickford melissa.bickford@ct.gov
- Western Community Mental Health Network – Waterbury YAS:
- Cheryl Ellis, Psy.D., cheryl.ellis@ct.gov
- Capitol Region Mental Health Center:
- Carl Shields, carl.shields@ct.gov
- United Services, Inc. of Willimantic YAS:
- Kit Hastings-Kort, khastings-kort@usmhs.org
- Shaun Belton, sbelton@usmhs.org
- Southeastern Mental Health Authority:
- Sylvia Baird, Sylvia.Baird@ct.gov
DMHAS-Funded and Other Gay/Straight Alliances:
- BHCare:
- Jason Kiss, jkiss@bhcare.org
- CCAR - LGBTQ Recovery Group
- Virginia Adams, Virginia@ccar.us
- Community Health Resources:
- Laurie Sanders Donnelly, lsandersdonnelly@chrhealth.org
- Institute of Living:
- Laura Saunders, Psy.D., laura.saunders@hhchealth.org
- Lifeline Program of Wheeler Clinic:
- Jean Marie Monroe, jeanmariemonroe@gmail.com
- Private Non-profits:
- Mark Chartier, mchartier@marrakechinc.org
- Reliance House:
- Ron Labonte, rlabonte@reliancehouse.org
Related Links:
- True Colors
- CCAR - LGBTQ Recovery Group
- Rainbow Heights
- Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective
- Pride Institute - Inpatient SA/MH
- LGBT Inpatient Unit @ Brattleboro Retreat
- LGBT Community Center of New Haven
- XX Club – Transsexual Support Group
- CT Outreach Society - transgender support group
- CT Trans Advocacy Coalition
- National Resource Center on LGBT Aging
- List of LGBTQ Holidays
- Rainbow Support Group - New Haven CT
- Triangle Community Center, Norwalk, CT
- SAMHSA - Helping the LGBT Community Enroll in Health Insurance