Paul Schulte
Schulte Research, Hong Kong
Title: Using the example of military veterans in Community Outreach for the LGBT Community for Drug Addiction Treatment
Biography
Biography: Paul Schulte
Abstract
Many in the LGBT community seek drug-taking activity, particularly meth, in part because they have PTSD due to bullying, sexual abuse, rape, assault or homelessness. As with veterans, the problem is too big for a stretched mental health community. The LGBT community could use models that veterans employ to take care of their own who have PTSD. The absence of treatment of underlying issues like widespread PTSD makes continuous sobriety problematic. In my book- ‘Paths to Recovery for Gay and Bisexual Drug Addicts’, I examined methods used by the military veterans to help their brothers and sisters returning from battle to cope with PTSD. Military programs for soldiers with PTSD can be easily modified for the LGBT community. These include celebrations of life (with symbols and plays) as well as programs which offer mentors, leaders, values and moral compasses for the LGBT community. The mental health crisis in the LGBT community in Asian cities is deepening and needs urgent attention.