Family Equality Council Proudly Joins “Talk to Me” to Raise Awareness for Suicide Prevention
The Trevor Project’s annual campaign for conversation runs through September
Washington, DC (Sept 3rd, 2013) – Throughout September, Family Equality Council will join The Trevor Project and 20 other national partners to raise awareness about suicide prevention among youth, especially those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ), through “Talk to Me.” This campaign for conversation is rooted in research[i] that indicates improving both help-seeking behaviors and access to care can have a dramatic effect on suicide prevention. At its heart, Talk to Me is about making it ok to offer help and being willing to connect a person with life-saving resources.
“The three million parents in our country who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender can be a powerful support network for LGBTQ youth,” said Family Equality Council Executive Director Gabriel Blau. “At Family Equality Council we believe that providing an open door and open hearts can be live-saving. By participating in the “Talk to Me” campaign we hope to send a clear message to young people everywhere: We’re listening.”
“Talk to Me enters its third year of raising awareness about how, with 3 simple words we can all help save a life,” said Abbe Land, Executive Director & CEO of The Trevor Project. “This year, 20 national organizational partners representing leaders in mental health, education, suicide prevention, youth, and LGBT communities are sharing the messages of Talk to Me. The Trevor Project looks forward to communities across the country gaining access to life-saving, life-affirming tools and resources to help prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth.”
Raising awareness about suicide prevention in September highlights the urgency of addressing the preventable, second leading cause of death among youth as young as age 10 through age 24[ii]. Along with The Trevor Project, partners for Talk to Me will recognize World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10) with a live Google+ Hangout on Air at 3pm ET, followed by a Twitter chat to continue the conversation at 4pm ET. Additional panels and social media activities occur throughout the month. Talk to Me, found at TrevorTalkToMe.org, engages youth and adults in a multi-faceted public awareness campaign to prevent suicide. Elements of the campaign include:
- Pledge to be a person that anyone can talk to when they need support;
- Take Action by asking that members of Congress fund inclusive suicide prevention training and programs by re-authorizing the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (H.R. 2734);
- Train a Trevor Lifeguard by registering for a free Trevor Lifeguard Workshop, a best practice for training suicide prevention for grades 6-12;
- Share Talk to Me badges, banners and updates on social media to show support of suicide prevention.
Talk to Me partners include: Active Minds, American Association of Suicidology, American School Counselors Association, Campus Pride, Children’s Mental Health Network, City Year, Family Equality Council, GLAAD, GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders), GLSEN(Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), GSA Network (Gay-Straight Alliance Network), HRC (Human Rights Campaign), Matthew Shepherd Foundation, National Association of School Psychologists, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), Teach For America, and To Write Love on Her Arms.
To learn more about Talk to Me and to get involved, visit TrevorTalkToMe.org.
ABOUT THE TREVOR PROJECT:
Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its accredited, free and confidential phone, instant message and text messaging crisis intervention services. A leader and innovator in suicide prevention, The Trevor Project offers the largest safe social networking community for LGBTQ youth, best practice suicide prevention educational trainings, resources for youth and adults, and advocacy initiatives. Learn more at TheTrevorProject.org.
ABOUT FAMILY EQUALITY COUNCIL:
Family Equality Council connects, supports and represents three million parents who are LGBT and their six million children. We work to change attitudes and policiesd across the country to ensure all families are respected, loved, and celebrated. For 30 years, our community has stood together to raise our children and raise our voices toward fairness for all.To learn more, please visit www.familyequality.org.
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[i] SOURCES: Borowsky, I. W., Ireland, M., Resnick, M. (2001). Adolescent Suicide Attempts: Risks and Protectors. Pediatrics. doi: 10.1542/peds.107.3.485; Eisenberg, M., Resnick, M. (2006). Suicidality among Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Youth: The Role of Protective Factors. Journal of Adolescent Health. 39: 662-668. Doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.04.024; Kidd, S., Henrich, C. C., Brookmeyer, K. A., Davidson, L., King, R. A. and Shahar, G. (2006), The Social Context of Adolescent Suicide Attempts: Interactive Effects of Parent, Peer, and School Social Relations. Suicide and Life-Threat Behavi, 36: 386–395. doi: 10.1521/suli.2006.36.4.386
[ii] CDC, National Centers for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). (2013/08/01). Available from:www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars