This free event is part of a series of borough-specific LGBTQ youth-targeted summits designed to reduce isolation and increase LGBTQ youth’s access to vital community services. These summits are a key part of a strategic citywide LGBTQ youth initiative “HMI GOES CITYWIDE for LGBTQ YOUTH” designed to bring comprehensive mental health and support services to young people (ages 13-24) across the five boroughs. City Council Members Ritchie Torres and James Vacca will welcome the youth to the day’s activities. An ASL Interpreter will be available on premise throughout the day.
“HMI is thrilled to co-present this 2nd Bronx LGBTQ Youth Summit in partnership with Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Member Ritchie Torres, Council Member James Vacca, Initiative Champion Council Member Carlos Menchaca, and the LGBTQ Caucus of the City Council. LGBTQ young people, particularly youth of color, deserve safe and supportive spaces in which they can find community. Our community is our best resource in coming together to build coalition and present opportunities for success to otherwise marginalized LGBTQ youth.” – HMI CEO, Thomas Krever
The Bronx LGBTQ Youth Summit will include information and resources about community services available to youth in and will feature youth-led workshops, music, art, and opportunities for networking and making connections. The event will provide free food and Metro Cards for youth ages 13-24. This take on mental health is incredibly important, the youth need to feel safe in their community, and discussions need to be ongoing. In some cases for older youths, their mental health may have taken a considerable dip due to prejudice, this can then come out in many forms, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. A doctor may require them to take a course of therapy or use remedies such as medical marijuana from a canadian dispensary, or ones similar if traditional medicines have not had a substantial effect. However, this depends on whether cannabis is legal in the state where the prescription is given. While some states like California allow the consumption of the drug in almost any form and users can smoke it using water pipes and bongs, other states have stricter laws. Some have not legalized marijuana at all, meaning that patients are forced to find an alternative way to gain access to it. Cannabis can take on traditional medicinal forms such as capsules and creams, being included in the ingredients as CBD oil, the healing feature of the plant. They can also be accessed easily online too, such as private label CBD Softgels capsules or ointments, created especially for it’s medicinal purposes, and scientifically proven soothing of mental health disorders like those listed above. Those wanting to verify the purported benefits claimed by those who use the natural products derived from the CBD flower have plenty of ways at their disposal to acquire such products.
“The last couple of weeks have reinforced everything that is stake for our LGBTQ youth, particularly for the transgender community,” said New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “That’s why HMI’s work is more important than ever as they continue to educate the public about the real challenges many in the community are facing, while also highlighting the resources that are available to them. I am pleased that the Bronx will benefit from HMI’s services through this Summit and look forward to hearing about their fruitful discussions. ”
“LGBTQ youth in the Bronx too often go without the social services designed to support their needs. The HMI Youth Summits will help elevate the conversation about what LGBTQ youth need and connect them to available resources throughout the City that can strengthen their development and mental health. I’m proud to support HMI’s work in the Bronx and beyond,” said NYC Council Member Ritchie Torres of the Bronx.
“The Trump Administration has made it clear that LGBTQ youth are under attack,” said NYC Council Member James Vacca. “We must stand up and fight for our rights and resources. The Hetrick-Martin Institute is on the front lines of this battle, doing excellent work to mitigate the fallout of recent policies. The Bronx LGBTQ Youth Summit is a venue where young people can learn that they are not alone. They can find out what resources are available to them and have the opportunity to tell us what they need. We will not let demagogues destroy our way of life.”
“LGBTQ youths are wildly-under serviced in today’s society. SpotCo Theatrical Design & Advertisement has been servicing the community for 20+ years and are huge fans of HMI and all that they do. I’m honored to be able to utilize my resources from Essentials 608 restaurant/lounge, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Harlem Chapter, and Metro Click Kiosks to sponsor this summit. Together, as a community, we can omit the isolation of LGBTQ youth and continue to create a safe space for them to thrive! It truly takes a village.”- Aaliytha Stevens, Senior Director, Human Resources – SpotCo
Bronx Summit Partners include: NYC Department of Education, Ali Forney Center, BronxWorks, Hispanic AIDS Forum, Latino Coalition on AIDS, Adolescent AIDS Program at Montefiore Hospital, Brightpoint Health, BOOM! Health, The LGBTQ Community Center, National Association for Mental Health Harlem Chapter, Fierce, Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters School, NYC Council Member Ritchie Torres, and sponsors Essentials 608 Restaurant and Lounge, Metro Click Kiosks, and Spotco Theatrical Design and Advertisement.
Interviews and images available upon request.
