The Washington Health Alliance is committed to becoming an inclusive and anti-racist organization. We pledge to create an environment where all employees and members, regardless of skin color, culture, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or age, feel valued and have opportunities for growth.
We commit to identify, discuss, expose and challenge inequities, including structural racism, in health care systems across Washington.
Action Brief: Addressing LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Care Barriers
Reducing the barriers that keep LGBTQ+ Washingtonians from behavioral health care.
Released in recognition of Transgender Awareness Week and drawing on the "Between the Shades" documentary screening and expert panel, this brief highlights how health care providers, health plans, and health insurance purchasers can create a culture that challenges existing barriers and paves the way for greater access to necessary behavioral health care. Read the Action Brief.
Reducing Barriers to Behavioral Health Care for the LGBTQ+ Community
Across Washington, the LGBTQ+ population is estimated at 5.2% and represents about 6% of the workforce — the vast majority of whom have insurance coverage. Yet a 2020 survey shows that 80 percent reported putting off care, and a majority, 51 percent, reported they delayed care because of distrust of doctors.
Addressing the behavioral health needs of the LGBTQ+ community is a crucial issue. Within the last year, statistics show that 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered death by suicide. Through documentary screenings, expert panels, and its Action Brief, the Alliance is working to challenge these barriers and pave the way for greater access to necessary behavioral health care.
LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health in Washington
- The LGBTQ+ population in Washington is estimated at 5.2% and represents about 6% of the workforce.
- A 2020 survey found 80% of respondents reported putting off care.
- 51% reported they delayed care because of distrust of doctors.
- Within the last year, 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered death by suicide.
Read more
The Alliance DEI Initiative Celebrates Pride
In honor of Pride Month, the Washington Health Alliance hosted a screening of Between the Shades, a documentary by director Jill Salvino, followed by a panel discussion and interviews with panelists and attendees.
The panel discussion highlighted several key avenues to address the behavioral health needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Key Takeaways from the Panel
Creating a safe environment for patients and clients starts with how an organization represents itself.
Older adults may have experienced more rejection and discrimination than today's generation — there is more work to do to create an accepting and safe environment.
Partner with community-based organizations to create a peer-led workforce that delivers evidence-based interventions for mild forms of depression or anxiety.
From Conversation to Action
In recognition of Transgender Awareness Week, and building off its Pride Month documentary viewing and panel discussion, the Alliance released an Action Brief focused on addressing barriers to behavioral health care for the LGBTQ+ community.
The brief draws on the robust discussion from the "Between the Shades" screening and expert panel, and the Alliance has also collected and shared helpful mental health resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and their friends and family.
Read lessWho Makes This Work Possible
The Alliance's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programming — including the "Between the Shades" documentary screening and panel discussion — is made possible with the support of our sponsors.
Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, serves as lead sponsor, with additional support from Aetna, City of Seattle, Community Health Plan of Washington, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Milliman MedInsight, Neighborcare Health, Optum, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, and the Washington State Health Care Authority.