PRIDE Institute shares resources in response to Orlando shooting

The oldest residential treatment center for substance use services targeting the LGBTQ population reacted to last weekend's nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., in part by sharing information about numerous resources and partners serving the community.

Included in Minnesota-based PRIDE Institute's June 13 communication are a number of resources for treament providers who are welcoming to the LGBTQ community, including welcoming signs for waiting rooms and cultural competency training opportunities.

The statement from PRIDE Institute also addressed an all client/staff vigil that the facility held on Monday, in which participants were encouraged to share thoughts, feelings and readings. “Maya Angelou's poems were read by several clients, while clients and staff alike shared feelings of sadness, anger, fear, loss and, incredibly, hope and gratitude for being where they are now in their journey to self-realization and sobriety,” the statement reads.

PRIDE Institute also makes reference to how an event such as the mass shooting can remind many of their past traumatic experiences. “People with chemical health concerns exacerbated by mental health issues seek out PRIDE Institute for help in developing sobriety. Sobriety for them was previously unattainable, in part or in whole, because of their inability to cope with others' intolerance-based feelings, thoughts and actions,” the statement reads.