Working with black queer men who use crystal meth​ (3 CE Hours, 2024)

Description:

Methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth or Tina, has been a health concern for the LGBTQ+ community since the late 1990s. In most recent studies, researcher are seeing an increase in use in the Black/African American Gay community (Secret, 2015). As a result, mental health professionals should be familiar with information related to the current crystal meth epidemic and how it relates to Black Gay community.

This course will provide an overview of the experience of Black/African American Gay men and the prevalence of crystal methamphetamine use, including the unique challenges they and the therapist face in treatment. This course is designed to build awareness, provide useful tools in providing ethnically competent services, and discuss risk factors faced by Black/African American Gay men who use crystal meth. The course will cover issues facing Black/African American Gay men, their use of crystal meth and how to support those with taking culture and experience into consideration.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain 2 new treatment strategies in clinical work with Black/African American Gay men dealing with crystal meth addiction.
• Describe contextual factors, including  2 challenges in accessing early intervention and treatment, that impact the crystal meth epidemic in Black/African American Gay communities.
• List 2 factors that may be related to the crystal meth overdose rates in Black/African American communities in the US.

Schedule:

Welcome/Intention Setting

Use Inclusive Language

Know General Definitions

Case Study 1

Confront Derogatory Comments

Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Youth

Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Adults/Seniors

Case Study 2

Unique Medical Health of the LGBTQ+ Community

Case Study 3

Close Out & Questions

Speaker Bio:

Jerry St. Louis is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, who resides in the Nation’s Capital, Washington, D.C. Originally from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Jerry is the proud son of two immigrant parents from Haiti. Education was a priority in his household. After receiving his Bachelor’s from Florida A&M University in Psychology and his Masters in Social Work at Clark Atlanta University, Jerry decided to work in the school settings making a direct impact to black and brown students and their families. Working as a Social Worker in “urban” neighborhoods has afforded him the opportunity to work closely with children that look like him and introduced him to the reason he decided to pursue his Ed.D.  He enrolled in a Doctoral Program at The George Washington University to pursue his Ed.D in Special Education. He is currently a Doctoral Candidate and is actively writing his dissertation, which will focus on the evolution of Sex Education in the US and the need for it to be comprehensive and inclusive of Queer Students with Disabilities.

He currently runs his own private practice in Washington, DC named Of Colors Healing, LLC and a community queer sexual health educator. Mr. St. Louis is a Certified Sex Therapist. Jerry is an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, he recognized the lack of significant support for this population in schools. His focus is working with marginalized communities, and advocating for equity and support.