The Trevor Project Gives Hope to Suicidal LGBT Youth
One thing that readers of Pride and Opinions may not know about me is that I once founded and ran a nonprofit organization dedicated to teen suicide prevention. It is a subject about which I am passionate and devoted, and while I no longer work in that capacity I am no less devout in my support of anyone who does.
Teen suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth are on average three times more likely to attempt suicide. Suicide is a tragedy regardless of the age of the person involved, but suicide among youth is particularly terrible as many young people lack the coping skills that come along with age and experience and often don’t see any alternative to taking their own lives.
When I read earlier this week about the Trevor Project’s 24-hour suicide hotline dedicated to LGBT youth, I couldn’t help but to be happy that someone has taken the initiative to reach out to this often ignored segment of our society’s youth. Through a new ad campaign called “I’m Glad I Failed”, the project reaches out by representing young people who have attempted suicide.
For anyone wishing to help spread the word about this project on their own web site, The Trevor Project has made a collection of ads available from their web site in several sizes and options. You can find a page with all of these downloadable ads here.
The Trevor Helpline, 866-4-U-TREVOR, is a free and confidential service that offers hope through its trained counselors.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, I urge you to contact the Trevor Helpline, or at least tell someone how you are feeling. If you are on LiveJournal, I moderate a community there called “Suicide Support” where community members offer support to one another and you are welcome to join as well.
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