CHICAGO - A panel of mental health experts that examined the U.S. military environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) service members sees some progress, but says more needs to be done following the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) Act. Transgender military personnel were excluded in the repeal of DADT.
"As a city and community, we are in a unique position to work with LGBT veterans and service members because of the size of Chicago and the Great Lakes naval training center located here," said Chicago Lakeshore Hospital CEO Alan Eaks. The Great Lakes center is the only Naval Basic Training center in the United States.
The panel for behavioral health clinicians was held last week at the Center on Halstead in partnership with the Chicago Lakeshore Hospital (CLH) Valeo program. The CLH Valeo program is one of the best known and comprehensive behavioral health programs in the Midwest, treating LGBT patients for a wide variety of issues from substance abuse to community issues and depression.
"We encourage service members to enroll for and take advantage of military medical benefits as they return from active duty," said Eaks. "However, Chicago Lakeshore Hospital often works with the military healthcare system to provide specialty services like the Valeo program when military personnel need a specific type of care."
While it is no longer illegal in the military to disclose one's sexual orientation, LGBT service members still face challenges when it comes to things like housing and benefits. But Jason Trautman PsyD., Clinical Coordinator of Outpatient Services at CLH, says the military legal system and the American Psychological Ethics Code are no longer in conflict.
"Therapists did have the option, and some would say were mandated to, disclose a service member's sexual orientation to commanders if the client disclosed they were lesbian, gay, or bisexual," Trautman said. "Now, service members are free to speak openly with military therapists about anything related to their LGB identification."
All military personnel may experience high levels of stress, but due to the Defense of Marriage act, LGBT service members may be denied access to significant others and many of the familial stress outlets that their heterosexual counterparts can access.
"Military personnel will continue to experience the Defense of Marriage act as a stressor," said Trautman.
The panel noted that even 50 years after racial integration in the military, racism is still a problem. There is little evidence to suggest that LGBT integration would proceed at a faster pace.
Chicago Lakeshore Hospital, the premier Midwest mental health provider, is a comprehensive, private, free standing behavioral health hospital, has been serving the community for nearly 50 years. The hospital specializes in the treatment of adults, adolescents and children with psychiatric and/or alcohol, addiction/chemical or drug dependency issues. The hospital is dedicated to educating the public on the value of identifying and treating behavioral illnesses, addictions and their impact on people's lives.