At Men’s Health Foundation, we celebrate World Mental Health Day to continue bringing awareness to the widespread reality of mental illness and to advocate for the end of social stigma that surrounds it. As our global understanding of mental health grows, it is critical that our understanding of the intersection between mental health and identity does as well.  Countless studies have indicated that mental health is inextricably linked with our backgrounds and identities— whether that be gender, sexual orientation, or race. By engaging in an open dialogue about mental health, we aim to strip the conversation of stigma and encourage community-wide healing. This World Mental Health Day 2020, we’re talking to Julia Schwab, a licensed therapist based in Los Angeles who has worked in the field of mental health for over fifteen years. Julia’s work focuses on empowering disenfranchised communities with a concentration on the LGBTQ+ population in the Los Angeles area. 

What services do you provide? 

Julia Schwab (JS): “I am the Patient Care Manager in MHF’s Medical Care Coordination program.  Our multidisciplinary team includes a Patient Care Manager, a Nurse Case Manager, a Caseworker, and a Retention and Outreach Specialist. The entire team works together intensively to provide case management to clients impacted by HIV.  In my specific role, I implement culturally-informed psychosocial support including brief therapy and linkage to long term therapy.  For clients with barriers to treatment adherence, I use case management to target matters like homelessness, sex addiction, substance abuse, food insecurity, and immigration status.”

What inspired you to become a therapist dedicated to empowering the LGBTQ+ community? 

JS: “Unfortunately, I know firsthand what it's like to be provided non-LGBTQ+ affirmative care and the negative impact it can have on one’s life and self-worth. My experience of falling through the cracks as a queer teen sparked an immense passion for empowering disenfranchised communities through an intersectional lens.  That passion led me to work with a variety of queer, intersectional HIV resource centers before ultimately becoming a mental health therapist. In my therapy career, I’ve gotten the chance to prioritize the intersections of various LGBTQ identities, which many mainstream healthcare providers fail to acknowledge. Given that LGBTQ individuals are twice as likely as the general population to experience a mental health condition, and trans folks are four times as likely, it’s crucial that mental health care is comprehensive and culturally inclusive. “ 

What is a harmful stigma about mental health that you are actively working to undo? 

“Having an addiction or a mental health condition is a choice and you just need to ‘be stronger’ and ‘work harder.’”            

“Allies must acknowledge implicit bias, create supportive workplaces, provide services to those that have substance abuse issues through an intersectional lens, speak out against discrimination, and advocate to change laws that negatively impact the community.” 

How can allies support the mental health of an LGBTQ+ loved one? 

“It is vital that allies acknowledge the disparities and stigma related to being LGBTQ. Allies also need to actively work on educating others who are not a part of the community in order to decrease stigma. Allies must acknowledge implicit bias, create supportive workplaces, provide services to those that have substance abuse issues through an intersectional lens, speak out against discrimination, and advocate to change laws that negatively impact the community.” 

How can individuals get connected with the mental health services that Men’s Health Foundation offers?

“Behavioral health services are being expanded at Men’s Health Foundation at this time.  At our SoCal Club location we offer free individual, couples, and family counseling focused on GTQIA+ people of color between the ages of 12-29, both in English and Spanish. For more information about this program please contact SoCal Club or visit our website at menshealthfound.org/socalclub.” 

To learn more about Julia’s work, visit her website. Additional resources can be found by going to @socalclubla on Instagram or calling the SoCal Club office at 323-905-5675.