“Talk to Me” to Raise Awareness for Suicide Prevention



Throughout September, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 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 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.

“We are proud to partner with the Trevor Project to raise awareness about suicide prevention,” says Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “We will be sharing the messages of Talk to Me to our thousands of followers on social media and throughout our daily work. We are committed to the well-being of LGBTQ youth.”

talktomegraphic“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 . 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.