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Contextual Frameworks for Addressing Risk and Fostering Resilience Among Sexual and Gender Minority Veterans

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Veteran Psychiatry in the US

Abstract

Several hundred thousand sexual and gender minority (SGM) veterans are estimated to seek out healthcare services through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) each year, though the exact number is unknown. SGM veterans present with many healthcare concerns that are similar to the veteran population at large. They also experience unique risk and resilience factors affecting healthcare and treatment outcomes. Mental health professionals play a crucial role in addressing risk and resilience factors of SGM veterans, whether as solo practitioners, as members of specialty mental health programs, or within integrated care teams in VHA or civilian healthcare systems. Utilizing a minority stress theoretical lens, (Meyer I, Psychological Bulletin. 129:674–697, 2003) this chapter offers mental health professionals a framework through which to identify and address contributors to distress and foster resilience in SGM veterans. This chapter will further outline strategies for developing a welcoming clinical environment for SGM veterans and providing patient-centered, culturally informed, and affirming mental health treatment. Finally, this chapter will review considerations for transgender veterans seeking transition-related care.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Rebecca Gitlin

  2. VHA LGBT Health Program, Washington, DC, USA

    Michael R. Kauth

  3. VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Michael R. Kauth

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Michael R. Kauth

Authors
  1. Rebecca Gitlin
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  2. Michael R. Kauth
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Correspondence to Rebecca Gitlin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mental Health Community Based Outpatient, Georgetown University, Mental Health Community Based Outpatient, Silver Spring, MD, USA

    Elspeth Cameron Ritchie

  2. Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington DC VA Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Washington, DC, USA

    Maria D. Llorente

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Gitlin, R., Kauth, M.R. (2019). Contextual Frameworks for Addressing Risk and Fostering Resilience Among Sexual and Gender Minority Veterans. In: Ritchie, E., Llorente, M. (eds) Veteran Psychiatry in the US. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05384-0_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05384-0_16

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-05384-0

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