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Depression & Anxiety

Health surveys have found depression to be a leading health concern for members of the LGBT communities, in addition to concerns about HIV and substance use. Many find that both living as openly LGBT and living closeted create pressures that affect health. These pressures are influenced by social isolation, strains in family relationships, stigma, homophobia and transphobia. Additionally, health surveys have found that all sexual minority groups reported levels of mood or anxiety disorders above those for the heterosexual population.

Depression and anxiety are treatable conditions. Getting connected to counseling services and speaking to a mental health professional is an important step towards recovery! Call us today to connect with our services or for a referral.
If you notice these symptoms of depression, contact a mental health professional for support: Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood; Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness; Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed; Decreased energy; Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions; Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping; Appetite and/or weight changes; Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts; Restlessness, irritability.

Self-Harming Behaviors, Disregulated Eating & Eating Disorders

Self-harm means injuring your body deliberately in a way that leaves marks or causes damage. It can include cutting, biting, burning, not taking prescribed medications, and more. If you deliberately harm yourself, you may be trying to cope with something that you feel you cannot stand any longer. You may want to escape from intense emotions such as rage, loneliness, guilt, or from feeling numb. Self-harm may help you to release tension, feel safe again, or feel alive.

At Center CARE, we can help you connect with appropriate resources to get the support you need to develop safe coping mechanisms and navigate your route to physical and psychological health.

HIV & Depression

As with other serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease or stroke, HIV often can be accompanied by depression, an illness that can affect mind, mood, body and behavior. People with HIV, their families and friends, and even their physicians may assume that depressive symptoms are an inevitable reaction to being diagnosed with HIV. But depression is a separate illness that can and should be treated, even when a person is undergoing treatment for HIV or AIDS.

contact us For more information, call 646-556-9300 and ask to speak with a Center CARE counselor.