September 9, 2012

Trevor Project's "Talk to Me" Campaign Targets LGBT Youth

Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.

West Hollywood, CA - Throughout September, The Trevor Project's National Suicide Prevention Month, people nationwide are invited to join "Talk to Me," the campaign for conversation.

"Talk to Me" is rooted in research[i] that indicates improving both help-seeking behaviors and access to care can have a dramatic effect on suicide prevention. By making it ok to offer help and being willing to connect a person with life-saving resources, with only 3 simple words, a person can help save a life.

"It is vital that we recognize our own individual ability to help prevent the tragedy of suicide. At The Trevor Project, we are especially concerned about the risks facing young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning, but 'Talk to Me' is for all of us: parents, friends, family members, co-workers, teachers, and students. We all have the ability to let another person know that they are not alone and that we genuinely care about their health and well-being," said Abbe Land, Executive Director & CEO of The Trevor Project.

Land continued, "With the changes and transitions of new school, work, and schedules that occur this time of year, September can be a challenging time for many people. Those challenges can increase risk factors for suicide such as stress, anxiety, and isolation, which is why we recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Month."

Raising awareness about suicide prevention in September highlights the urgency of addressing the preventable, third leading cause of death among youth as young as age 10 through age 24[ii]. National Suicide Prevention Month includes recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, (Sept. 9 -15), World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10) and The Trevor Project Day (Sept. 27).

"Talk to Me," found at TrevorTalkToMe.org, engages youth and adults in a multi-faceted public awareness campaign to prevent suicide and runs throughout the month of September. Elements of the campaign include:

  • Public Service Announcement featuring Kevin McHale of TV's hit show, Glee

  • Pledge to be a person that anyone can talk to when they need support

  • Post sticky note activation to share life-saving, life-affirming messages where friends, peers, and even strangers will find them

  • Participate in The Trevor Project Day on September 27, 2012 by gathering support and sharing share life-saving, life-affirming messages with your community

  • Act by advocating that state legislators fund inclusive school-based suicide prevention training and programs

  • Wear and distribute Trevor Talk to Me gear among schools and community-based organizations

  • Share "Talk to Me" badges, banners and updates on social media to show support of suicide prevention

  • Donate to make The Trevor Project's life-saving, life-affirming services more accessible and better known to all youth who need someone to talk to.

  • Get Involved to help improve suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth in your state, city or town by joining Trevor Ambassadors or Trevor NextGen

    To learn more about "Talk to Me" and to get involved, visit www.TrevorTalkToMe.org

    The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people under 24.

    Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. Honored by the White House as a "Champion of Change," The Trevor Project is a leader and innovator in suicide prevention.

    Learn more at www.TheTrevorProject.org

    by Mark Thompson , EDGE Style & Travel Editor

    A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.

    • Read These Next