Deadly overdoses within the U.S. fell for the primary time in 5 years in 2023, based on preliminary estimates just lately launched by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, however UCLA researcher Joseph Friedman warns that the brand new findings shouldn’t be interpreted to imply that the nation’s drug and psychological well being crises are abating.
Friedman has analyzed “deaths of despair” that outcome from overdose, suicide and liver illness as a consequence of alcoholism and located that whereas dying charges for white Individuals have dipped, charges have risen lately amongst individuals of coloration within the U.S., particularly amongst Native and Black Individuals. Unlawful opioids corresponding to fentanyl have ravaged Black and low-income communities in Los Angeles.
Whereas it’s troublesome to pinpoint the precise causes behind substance abuse or suicide, Friedman in addition to different specialists in habit drugs and psychological well being say racial inequality, financial misery and historic trauma have aggravated these issues in marginalized communities.
If you happen to or somebody you realize wants speedy assist for a psychological well being, substance-use or suicidal disaster, name or textual content 988, or chat on-line by visiting the suicide and disaster line’s web site. For psychological well being sources and referrals, name the Los Angeles County Division of Psychological Well being’s Assist Line 24/7 at (800) 854-7771.
Listed here are different organizations that provide data, counseling and help companies:
Nakeya Fields, a licensed medical social employee in Pasadena, based the Black Psychological Well being Job Drive, a coalition that brings collectively psychological well being professionals, shoppers, nonprofits, group organizations, educators and others in California to boost consciousness about psychological wellness. Her Therapeutic Play Basis gives actions designed to enhance resilience and coping abilities by means of inventive arts, play and sports activities. It supplies particular person, {couples}, group and household remedy for Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and different members of marginalized populations.
The American Indian Counseling Heart, a division of the Los Angeles County Psychological Well being Division, gives disaster intervention, 24/7 intensive psychological well being companies and counseling for all ages, in addition to doctor consultations for medicines and referrals to culturally related help teams. Name (562) 402-0677 and ask to talk with the on-duty employee.
United American Indian Involvement’s behavioral well being program supplies outpatient substance use dysfunction therapy and psychological well being companies to American Indians and Alaska Natives dwelling all through Los Angeles County. Go to the web site or name (213) 202-3970.
Melanin and Psychological Well being gives an internet community of Black and brown psychological healthcare suppliers that’s searchable by geographic space, situation sort and therapy sought. It’s additionally attainable to filter outcomes by therapists’ racial background and specialty, in addition to by insurance coverage service.
The Black Psychological Well being Alliance gives confidential referrals to culturally competent psychological well being professionals who’re in its database of licensed therapists.
Painted Mind advocates for psychological wellness in underserved L.A. communities by providing self-care, leisure and therapeutic artwork and play periods, help teams and trainings for psychological well being professionals. As a part of its peer-led mannequin, lots of the employees have skilled psychological well being points themselves. Its group middle and artwork area is positioned at 5980 W. Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles LGBT Heart gives particular person, {couples}, household, group remedy and psychiatric care, in addition to help for individuals battling substance use. The middle has places in West Hollywood, at Mi Centro in East L.A., at its Trans Wellness Heart close to MacArthur Park and in South L.A.’s Leimert Park neighborhood.
The Group Well being Mission Los Angeles supplies companies to individuals who use medicine by the use of a harm-reduction method that emphasizes providing clear needles in addition to schooling on how to answer an overdose.
