This is reposted from the Lifeline Blog
CRISIS AND SUICIDE PREVENTION FOR LGBTQ YOUTH
By Charles Robbins, Executive Director & CEO, The Trevor ProjectAt The Trevor Project, we listen to young people every day who confirm exactly what Dr. Ryan’s new study reveals: for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth, family rejection can be deadly. Family rejection is one of the top five issues that our 18,000 plus callers per year discuss on The Trevor Helpline. Other top issues include depression, isolation, peer rejection, anxiety and confusion about sexual orientation. Because of the unique social and familial challenges lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth can face, they often report feeling isolated, depressed, helpless and hopeless.
The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. The helpline is free and confidential, and young people can speak with trained, volunteer counselors about anything at any time. Our counselors are diverse: some identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender; some identify as straight. They work as teachers, physicians, actors, lawyers, social workers – some are even college students. All potential helpline counselors participate in more than 40 hours of mandatory, intensive training including lectures, role plays and guest speakers. At The Trevor Helpline we look for counselors who are empathetic, understanding and non-judgmental. Most importantly, our counselors offer callers hope and someone to talk to in a safe environment.
The new report released by Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) that addresses the special concerns related to suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth is even further testament to the importance of providing crisis and suicide prevention resources that cater to LGBTQ youth.
It remains disheartening that LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers, and as evidenced by Dr. Ryan’s study, those who come from a rejecting family are up to nine times more likely to do so. This is a preventable epidemic, and when LGBTQ youth reach out to our call center (or any call center) for help, we must provide them with the support and resources they need. Our extensive database includes more than 2,500 resources ranging from LGBTQ centers and youth support groups to gay-friendly religious or spiritual organizations, as well as health services, shelters and supportive organizations for families and friends. These young people need to know that there are many safe places for them to turn where they can speak honestly and candidly about their problems.
We hope your staff will rely on The Trevor Project as a vital referral for those who disclose their sexual orientation when calling your crisis center. As the only AAS-accredited crisis and suicide prevention service delivery program specifically serving the LGBTQ community, know that we are committed to providing callers with the kind of support they need and resources they can benefit from. The fact that we do cater to a unique subculture and still perform according to the nationally recognized standards of AAS significantly contributed to our accreditation and recognition as a model of program excellence.
Please add The Trevor Project (helpline phone number: 866-4-U-TREVOR) to your resource databases and visit us online at www.TheTrevorProject.org to learn more. Together, we can all create positive change and save young lives.
Update (Oct. 7, 2010): Two documents with information about our organization and its programs (with info on how to order collateral materials).
No comments:
Post a Comment