Email UpdatesSexual health refers to physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being in relation to a person’s sexuality. It is not solely the absence of an illness, dysfunction, or infirmity. Sexual health necessitates a respectful and positive approach to life toward sexuality and sexual relationships and the ability to make pleasant and safe sexual experiences that are free of coercion, discrimination, and violence. Living with a mental disorder or substance use disorder can present additional challenges for a person’s sexual health The series is a 4-session introduction to this large and important topic, and will highlight best practices for assessing sexual history, and provide up-to-date information on sexual risk and STI prevention services.
In a January 30, 2024, letter to SAMHSA grantees, Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA, made clear that screening, testing, and treating Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is part of SAMHSA’s whole person approach to behavioral health treatment and substance use prevention. Syphilis and congenital syphilis along with substance use disorder, mental illness, and other STIs such as HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia represent a syndemic.
Syndemics happen when two or more health conditions cluster and interact within a population because of social and structural factors and inequities, leading to an excess burden of disease and continuing health disparities. This final session from the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) will provide an update on syndemic conditions that disproportionately impact people living with serious mental illnesses and/ or substance use disorders and discuss the important role of behavioral health providers in screening and linkage to treatment.