Enhancing Wellness through Affirming Services and Education (EASE) is a comprehensive behavioral health program including evidence-based individual and group therapy, case management, peer programming, psychoeducation, and HIV and HCV testing and referrals in Charlotte North Carolina. Over the course of the proposed five-year program, 200 clients will receive an array of services to address substance use and mental health as well as underlying conditions including trauma, minority stress, comorbidities, stigma, and life instability (i.e. unstable housing, lack of access to medical care, employment barriers, and isolation). EASE is a collaboration led by the Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research with county and community partners including Mecklenburg County Community Support Services, RAIN, and individual therapists.
Building on previously successful programming, EASE will serve two client populations with tailored programs to meet their distinct needs. One track will serve an older population (over 45) with current drug use and living with or at higher risk of HIV to address substance use along with mental health and medical comorbidities. A focus on overall wellness addressing stress management, nutrition, and chronic illness management will dovetail with substance use and mental health treatment to engage clients in whole body/mind wellness. The second track will serve minority LGBTQ+ adults to meet their specific mental and physical health needs addressing substance use, mental health, intersectional stress, LGB and/or gender-affirming health care, and sexual health. The LGBTQ+ community, particularly minority communities, has experienced more isolation and worse outcomes during the COVID pandemic; this track aims to address the behavioral health of this population by supporting overall wellbeing. In addition, EASE will enhance community capacity to address behavioral health in the LGBTQ+ population through training and a community coalition to further develop a seamless care network.
In alignment with the harm reduction approach to substance use and mental health, sexual health and risk reduction for all populations will be supported through HIV and HCV testing, PrEP referrals, and linkages to medical care and supportive services.