May is nationally recognized as Mental Health Awareness month, and so we would like to take the opportunity to talk about why mental health disorders disproportionately affect LGBTQ individuals.

You may have heard the news this past July that the FDA has approved the sale of a birth control pill that does not require a prescription. This is great news for folks seeking affordable and accessible contraceptives, and sales have already begun in Cortland pharmacies. It is known as the “Opill” and commonly nicknamed the “minipill,” but its generic name is norgestrel.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a common, but not commonly understood illness. It affects around 1 in 10 people with a menstrual cycle.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Intimate partner violence, or IPV, is more common than you may think. Approximately 1 in 3 teens and young adults experience physical or emotional abuse from a romantic partner, and this percentage increases with age; about half of college-aged women report experiencing IPV.

If you follow the Center on social media, you may have noticed the “Queer Health is Power” campaign from National LGBT Cancer Network. The leading cause of cervical cancer is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month. HPV can also causes other cancers, such as cancer of the throat, penis, and vulva, and anus. Luckily, we have multiple ways to protect ourselves from HPV.

This past Sunday, December 3rd, was International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Did you know that 1 in 4 Americans have a disability? Disabilities include many things, including both physical and mental health conditions, as well as learning disabilities. Many disabilities are also “invisible” - meaning they may not be obvious to other people. This is often the case for disabilities such as chronic pain and mental illness. You can’t always “tell” if someone has a disability or not.

The second week in November (13th - 19th) is recognized as Transgender Awareness Week to bring education and visibility to issues that affect the transgender community, such as discrimination and health disparities. You may be familiar with Transgender Day of Remembrance, on November 20th, which is an annual day to recognize the lives lost to transphobic violence in the past year.

Did you know October is health literacy month? Health literacy is the ability to find and understand information about your health. It’s important to have trusted sources to go to when you have questions about your healthcare. 

Did you know September is known as Substance Use Recovery Month? Recovery is possible, and it’s possible for everyone. Substance Use Disorder (SUD)  is a chronic but treatable illness characterized by a pattern of substance use leading to noticeable impairment or distress in your life. While some people may think that SUD stems from a personal failing or weakness, the reality is more complex. Like other mental health conditions, SUDs are treatable, but the shame and stigma associated with substance use can make it difficult for people to seek treatment. 

You may have recently heard the news that a couple of weeks ago, the FDA approved a form of the birth control pill to be purchased over-the-counter (OTC), without a prescription from a doctor. Here are some fast facts about this birth control pill…

Did you know that gay and bisexual men are at an increased risk of contracting viral hepatitis compared to the general population? “Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver, and Hepatitis A, B, and C are a collection of diseases that affect the liver. While serious, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of contracting viral hepatitis.

Did you know that LGBTQ people are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer? Some of the greatest disparities are seen with diagnoses of cervical cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. These disparities are often due to poverty and discrimination; LGBTQ people are less likely to have health insurance and more likely to experience medical discrimination, and so they are also less likely to receive routine cancer screenings.

Have you ever struggled to get enough food? Not having access to enough food to sustain yourself is known as food insecurity. This is a common, growing problem in the United States.

In the spirit of April having both STI Awareness Week and Public Health Week, we want to share news about the Family Planning Agency of South Central NY, now open as a part of Family and Children’s Counseling Services!

Syracuse and the surrounding areas have seen an increase in fentanyl-related overdoses and deaths. Here’s what you should know…

The last week in February of each year marks National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Due to experiences of discrimination and trauma, LGBTQ people are twice as likely as their non-LGBTQ peers to develop a mental health disorder, including an eating disorder. LGBTQ people also have unique barriers to treatment and recovery. Here are some facts you should know…

As we experience an increase in snow storms so quintessential to Central NY, many folks are familiar with preparing their cars and homes for the winter weather. There are also many folks ready to take the opportunity to grab their skis, skates, and snowboards, but did you know that as many as 50% of sports-related concussions occur during winter sports? Winter weather-related injuries and deaths are more common than you may realize. Here are some tips on keeping yourself safe this winter…

Have you received your seasonal vaccine for influenza (“the flu”) yet? Though the CDC recommends that nearly everyone get one yearly, as many as half of Americans don’t receive an annual flu vaccine. Here’s some quick facts about the seasonal flu vaccine…

The Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection. In fact, it’s so common that it’s estimated every sexually active person in the U.S. will have HPV at some point in their life. However, despite this, it’s typically not well-known or understood by most folks. Here’s what to know about HPV…

You may know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but did you know that lesbian and bisexual women are at an increased risk of breast cancer compared to heterosexual women? This is partly due to the fact that lesbian and bisexual women are less likely to get routine health checks and mammograms. This in mind, let’s review the facts related to breast cancer…