By Jessica Anne Pressler LCSW

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE- JUST BY USING YOUR WORDS. THIS IS HOW YOU SAVE LGBTQ+ YOUTH AND ADULTS.... BY PROVIDING LOVE…ACCEPTANCE…KINDNESS...SUPPORT...NON-JUDGEMENT...LISTENING AND HELPING THEM FEEL HEARD...USING PRONOUNS THE PERSON IDENTIFIES WITH...HELPING SOMEONE GAIN ACCESS TO RESOURCES...HELPING SOMEONE GAIN ACCESS TO GOOD MENTAL HEALTH ...BE AN ALLY...BE A FRIEND...DONT BE A BYSTANDER…STAND UP FOR SOMEONE WHO IS BEING BULLIED...SUPPORT LAWS TO PROTECT OUR LGBTQ+ YOUTH AND ADULTS. JUST BE A GOOD HUMAN.

​It might sound dramatic, but it’s not, it’s the truth, and it’s very black-and-white. When LGBTQ+ children do not feel supported by their family and friends, there is increased chance they will have suicidal ideation, look to alcohol and drugs to self-medicate, suffer from depression and anxiety, and have attachment issues. Studies have proven this to be true because of the lack of acceptance and cruelty that is put upon them when people realize they are LGBTQ+. As a society, and all through social media, we cheer on being authentic. However, there are many people out there define authenticity by their own merits- which often, does not include the queer community. Imagine yourself in a child’s position; growing up LGBTQ+ is difficult as it is, and just hearing just a simple “I love you” can save a child’s life. I want to scream from the rooftops, “you literally could kill your child by not supporting them.” I beg you as parents and as a society: be kind, compassionate, accepting, loyal, loving, and supportive. Accepting people for who they are is key to growth. By not excepting them, you’re creating trauma and trauma creates potential for a very difficult life. You could also be contributing to your child’s potential Traitor Within- the inner voice developed, mostly in childhood, by influence of parental figures. You always want your child’s inner voice to be a positive one- don’t be your child’s first bully.

Creating a supportive network of peers and adults is also important in helping these young people develop positive coping skills such as problem-solving techniques, communication strategies, and ways to express themselves in a healthy manner. In addition, having access to mental health services can provide LGBTQ+ individuals with the necessary tools to identify depression, anxiety, self-harm tendencies, and other psychological issues which could be contributing factors to suicidal ideation. These services can also provide counseling sessions which focus on topics such as coming out, gender identity, sexuality acceptance, depression/anxiety management skills building and more. Educating parents about the importance of acceptance towards their children's gender identity or sexuality is also key in creating a safe space where these young people feel able to express themselves without fear of judgement or stigma.

The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on suicide is an in-depth look into the prevalence of suicide among adolescents. They aim to gain a better understanding of why adolescents may be more vulnerable to suicide and how to help prevent it. To do this, The Trevor Project is using both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine different factors such as family structure, socio-economic status, mental health, access to resources, gender identity, and cultural norms. They have conducted numerous interviews with adolescents who have experienced suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide as well as those who have lost a loved one due to suicide. They also collected data from surveys and other quantitative sources such as demographic information and school records. The findings show that there are various risk factors associated with adolescent suicide including bullying, stress from school and family pressures, substance abuse, mental illness, feelings of hopelessness or not belonging, lack of support systems or coping skills. The Trevor Project hopes their research will provide insight into how we can better support youth in crisis so they can receive the help they need before attempting suicide.

​The Trevor's Project’s findings suggest that there is no single factor responsible for adolescent suicide among LGBTQ youth but rather a complex combination of individual characteristics and environmental influences which make some youth more vulnerable than others. Ultimately, his research has shown that it is essential to create an environment where these young people feel safe, accepted, supported, and empowered if we hope to prevent suicide within this population.

​Furthermore, Trevor's Project’s research suggests that increased access to mental health services should be made available in order to identify underlying psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and self-harm which can be contributing to suicidal ideation in some cases. It is also important to empower these young people by providing them with skills such as coping mechanisms for stress or anger, problem-solving techniques, and ways of seeking help when needed. Lastly, Trevor’s Project’s recommends educating both parents and peers about the importance of creating an environment which accepts all gender identities and sexual orientations so that everyone can feel seen, heard, supported, and respected regardless of their identity or orientation.

Support for LGBTQ+ community  

1. The Trevor Project: Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth; Website: www.thetrevorproject.org, Phone Support (US): 866-488-7386

2. PFLAG: A national organization that unites people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) with families, friends, and allies; Website: www.pflag.org 

3. GLAAD: An organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ people in media; Website: www.glaad.org 

4. LGBT National Help Center – Offers peer-support telephone hotlines as well as online resources: Hotline phone number for US & Canada residents 1-888-843-4564 

5. GLSEN – Focuses on creating safe school environments for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression; Resources page at https://www.glsen/resources/safety 

6. Human Rights Campaign - A civil rights organization working to achieve equality for LGBTQ+ Americans; Website: https://www.hrc.org / contactus

7. Trans Lifeline -Provides support and resources specifically tailored to trans individuals, website: translifeline.org, 877-565-8860 

8. Rainbow Railroad -Assists persecuted LGBT people around the world by connecting them with safe paths out of their countries. Website: rainbowrailroad.org 

9. Family Equality Council – Advances legal and lived equality for LBGTQ+ families1. The Trevor Project: Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth; Website: www.thetrevorproject.org, Phone Support (US): 866-488-7386

10. Gender Spectrum- provide resources and host online groups for LGBTQ plus children and their parents, caregivers and other family members.

11. 988 suicide and crisis hotline -phone counseling anytime day or night by dialing 988.

12. LGBT national health center hotlines based on age groups 800–2 46–77434 youth 888–8 43–45644 adults and 888–6 88–5428 for seniors. Weekly chat rooms for youth and online peer support are also available.

13. Rainbow Health - mental, chemical and sexual health services for the LGBTQ plus people and communities that historically and currently face barriers to behavioral health support

14. Reclaim -affordable mental health care for youth who identify as queer or trans.

15. Trans lifeline Dash trans peer support available by calling 877–5 65–8860.

 • Please see The Trever Project’s Survey for details; @thetrevorproject.org

DISCLAIMER:

The contents of this website; blog, video, articles, media, social media, book, and references, are ONLY for informational and entertainment purposes. It is NOT intended as a psychological service, diagnostic tool, medical treatment, personal advice, counseling, or determination of risk and should not be used as a substitute for treatment by psychological or medical services.  

Please seek consultation by an appropriate healthcare provider. 

Call 911 if there is an emergency. 

Call or text 988, which is the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline,

Call National Suicidal Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 to talk to someone 24/7 if needed. Call National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 to talk to someone 24/7 if needed. 

Looking at, reading, listening to any information on my website, social media, YouTube, or book, and communicating with me by email or any other communication with me, you acknowledge and agree that we do not have a professional/client relationship. Use of this site and information associated with this site is solely at the visitor’s own risk.