Stephen Harden Colorado-based Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Imagination: You.
As an advocate of mental health and social justice, Stephen focuses on the disproportionate burden on communities where behavioral health concerns have been marginalized, especially those identified as LGBTQ +. At Envision: You, Stephen leads a team working on the personal mental health and well-being of the queer community.
The organization focuses on promoting awareness and understanding of mental health, reducing prejudice and increasing access to care. It also ensures that providers receive comprehensive training to meet the unique needs of LGBTQ + people. Stephen holds a Master of Literature degree from Colorado University Boulder, a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University, and a Master of Social Work degree from Simmons University.
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Status of reforms: What does the Pride Moon mean to you?
Stephen Harden: “Around the world, pride celebrations can take many forms, from parades to parties, protests and proms. Hundreds of independent cities around the world have been independent since the modern LGBTQ + liberation movement began in the 1970s. Pride events have occurred, each of which is clearly local and somehow linked to the basic Stonewall riots of June.
The first official pride was held in New York City in June 1970, more than 50 years ago, a year after the Stonewall Rebellion, by a community angry with discrimination, stigma, and abuse by government and police. It’s true that many people identified as LGBTQ + today can lead a real life without too much hassle or harassment, but that’s not the case for many in our community and lives. Where you are, skin color, gender identity, expression, access to capital and other resources, age, or various other factors. As a white cisgender gay man, I recognize my privileges and the ability to access resources that allow me to openly celebrate my pride without fear of harassment or violence.
I thank politicians across the country for marching the pride parade in solidarity with the LGBTQ + community, but what pride really means to me is that the queer people are real in the world and in many ways non-genuine countries. It is the time and space reserved for being to prosper, and in some cases to live. It is LGBTQ + people of all ages, races, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, socio-economic backgrounds and has the right to see, accept and celebrate exactly who they are. .. It amplifies the voices of people in our community who are rarely heard.
Rebelling in the face of national legislation telling transgender people that health care is not worth affirming, telling transgender youth that they cannot participate in team activities, queer children By supporting the parents, they are criminalized. It prohibits teachers and students from discussing legal and legitimate family structures and accurate, well-documented historical figures and events. As LGBTQ + people, we have made a lot of progress, but there is a way to go. Pride as an act of resistance and protest is as necessary as it was when we returned to the 1970s. ”
SOR: How would you rate the mental health of the LGBTQ + community in Colorado?
SH: “Earlier this year, Envision: You partnered with the OMNI Institute to announce our results. Colorado LGBTQ + State State The study collected social determinants of behavioral health, substance use, and health data for nearly 600 LGBTQ + Coloradans. There were no statistically significant state-wide data on our community of these particular inequality, and the results confirmed that we were suspicious. The LGBTQ + community in Colorado has far less mental health and associated consequences than its cisgender and heterosexual peers.
The overall mental health consequences of Colorado are: The toughest in the country.. LGBTQ + young people are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide and four times more likely to attempt suicide. Individuals with LGBTQ + are generally 2.5 times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. One-third of our community is experiencing eating disorders. The list will continue to grow. Indeed, many of our communities are highly resilient and powerful, and have great relationships with state agencies and community partners who are committed to eliminating these inequality. The future of Colorado looks bright, although it may look dark now. We are encouraged that the Department of Behavioral Health focuses on health equity as due north of their work. Morgan Medlock, under the leadership of MD..“
SOR: Envision: How do you reach your goals for this year?
SH: “Concept: Your mission is to bridge the gap in LGBTQ + personal behavioral health outcomes through co-created community programming, advocacy engagement, awareness campaigns, and evidence-based training. Our Behavioral HealthProvider Training. The Program continues to grow, providing mental health professionals across the United States with the opportunity to build positive practices and environments for LGBTQ + patients.
We currently have four population-specific modules that provide community information and evidence-based training on the specific needs and trauma of LGBTQ + youth and seniors, the LGBTQ + community of colors, transgender and non-binary individuals. I am developing. Finding Hope, an LGBTQ + Coloradans peer support program for rural and mountaineering communities, will reopen in the fall by refocusing the entire state and deepening community organization connections in the state’s non-urban areas. ..
our How to talk The program is an anti-stigma campaign that encourages people to start difficult conversations about mental health and substance abuse, and has recently partnered with One Colorado. Mental health action toolkitIt features specific action steps that individuals can take to improve the mental health of their loved ones in their lives and throughout the community. Our policy and advocacy will continue into the next session, and we are excited to see staff in person this summer at many seven pride events from Grand Junction to Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and the entire Denver Metro area. .. .. ”
SOR: How does your organization work with BHA to improve access to and outcomes in poorly serviced mental health care services for children and adolescents?
SH: “Concept: Your Vice President Brad Barfield was recently nominated as a Fellow of the First Cohort of the Equity Ground Leadership Program sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health. As part of that fellowship, Brad and other fellows. Assists BHA in community-informed efforts to select members of the BHA Advisory Board and identity and community-specific workgroups that focus on specific marginalized and poorly serviced people.
We are also pleased to receive a multi-year grant from the Office of Behavioral Health prevention team for the Q is for Questioning program, which will begin at the end of the summer. The program is a series of three interactive educational workshops facilitated by qualified mental health professionals, an experienced community co-facilitator, and members of the Envision: You team, parents and caregivers. , Designed to serve other trusted people. Adults provide the tools, languages, and resources needed to create a positive space for LGBTQ + youth in their lives. We find that even one reliable adult in a child’s life can make the difference between suffering in silence and navigating young people and adolescents with confidence and resilience. I know.
SOR: What policies do you support from this year’s session? And what reforms do LGBTQ + individuals in Colorado need?
SH: “Recently, I’m excited about the three bills signed by Governor Police. HB22-1267 The idea: You worked with One Colorado to help with the draft. The law creates a $ 900,000 grant program to fund the development of culturally relevant and positive training programs for healthcare providers. The grant program is managed by the Department of Health Disparities of the Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado, and interested nonprofits serve LGBTQ individuals, races, minorities, etc. and are the most familiar priority populations. You can apply for funding to develop these training programs for. , Veterans, and people with complex behavioral health needs.
The second bill is SB22-181This requires the newly established Department of Behavioral Health to work with the Department of Higher Education and Training Centers to develop paid behavioral health job shadowing and internship opportunities. It will also build partnerships between BHA and regulatory agencies to increase the workforce opportunities for unlicensed behavioral healthcare providers. All of this has helped to expand and diversify Colorado’s existing behavioral health professionals.
The third bill we’re really excited about is HB22-1157, [which] The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment requires that we collect voluntary information from data sources, including information on race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Without this data, health injustices known to exist in people left out of society cannot be adequately quantified. Without that quantification, we would not have enough money to deal with these injustices and the information needed to build effective programs and solutions to fight. they.
You can celebrate your progress in Colorado while continuing to fill important gaps. The labor shortage in behavioral medicine is convenient and quality for many Colorados, and for oppressed people with specific needs and marginalized identities such as LGBTQ + communities, color communities, refugees, adolescents and the elderly. Continues to make access to highly covered care inaccessible. It is even less likely to find a well-trained and positive provider with those groups in mind. “
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
