Five Questions with The Trevor Project

Statistics on suicide are grim.  Approximately 32,000 people commit suicide each year in the U.S., and suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students.  When it comes to the subject of LGBT youth and suicide, the statistics are even darker.  According to a 2006 Massachusetts Youth Risk Survey, LGBT and questioning youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers;  LGBT youth who come from a rejecting family are up to nine times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.

Suicide among LGBT youth is an issue that The Trevor Project has been working on for over 10 years.  The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.  In addition, The Trevor Project provides online support to young people, and also provides lifesaving guidance and vital resources to educators and parents.

Today, we've got 5 questions with Jacqueline Wing, Communications Manager for The Trevor Project.  As Jacqueline describes below, addressing suicide among LGBT young people is something we all need to take responsibility for addressing.  To learn more, read the questions below, visit The Trevor Project's Web site, check out The Trevor Project's blog, or become a fan of the organization on Facebook.

The issue of LGBT suicide has received quite a bit of publicity recently with the release of the Lifetime Movie, "Prayers for Bobby."  But before there was "Bobby," there was "Trevor," a 1994 film about a gay teenager who attempts to take his life.  How did that film help launch the Trevor Project and/or contribute to the Trevor Project's mission?

Jacqueline Wing (JW), The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project was founded in 1998 by filmmakers James Lecesne, Peggy Rajski and Randy Stone, the creators of the comedy/drama Trevor. When Trevor was scheduled to air on HBO® in 1998, the filmmakers realized that some of the program’s young viewers might be facing the same kind of crisis as Trevor (who is a fictitious character) and began to search for a support line to be broadcast during the airing. They discovered that no such helpline existed, and decided to dedicate themselves to forming what was, in their view, a much-needed resource: an organization to promote acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, and to aid in crisis and suicide prevention among that group. Thus, The Trevor Helpline was born with seed funding provided by The Colin Higgins Foundation. The Trevor Helpline remains the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. It is because of the film, Trevor, and our wonderful founders that we continue to save young lives today.

What types of training do employees and volunteers who work at the Trevor Project's helpline have to receive before they can take calls?

JW: All of our volunteer helpline counselors participate in more than 40 hours of mandatory, intensive training. The training process consists of lectures, role plays and guest speakers. Upon successful completion of classroom training, counselors sit in on two shifts, listening in on live phone calls in preparation for their first call. When potential counselors are going through training, they are also assigned to veteran helpline counselors as mentors. These mentors help to ensure that trainees have the best possible training experience and feel confident enough to begin taking calls on The Trevor Helpline. New counselors take their first call on The Trevor Helpline with the support of their mentors.

The majority of the 18,000+ calls to The Trevor Helpline last year came from the South and other rural areas. Is there any significance to this?

JW: There is certainly significance to this. Many callers in the South, Midwest or other rural areas of the country live in isolated communities that lack resources for LGBTQ people. These young people may not even know that other LGBTQ people exist, much less that there are supportive organizations available to help them. Without solid support systems, young people can be left feeling alone, helpless and/or hopeless. That’s why The Trevor Helpline is so vital. Youth who need someone to talk to or don’t know where to turn in their own communities can pick up the phone and call The Trevor Helpline regardless of where they live. Our trained counselors listen and understand without judgment, and most importantly, can refer them to other helpful resources close by.

In addition to the helpline, the Trevor Project also focuses on education and outreach.  How does the Trevor Project help local schools or communities become safer spaces for LGBT young people?  And on this note, does the Trevor Project focus exclusively on middle and high schools, or are you active on college campuses?

JW: The Trevor Project is committed to providing educators with essential tools to identify and help youth in crisis, and guidance on how to encourage students to create accepting environments for their peers. Our “Lifeguard School Workshop Program” uses a structured curriculum to address topics around sexuality, gender identity, the impacts of language and behavior and what it means for young people to feel different. The workshop also teaches young people to recognize depression and suicidal ideations amongst their peers, as well as how to help. In addition, we distribute an educational kit called “The Trevor Survival Kit” to schools and youth service providers nationwide to help educators constructively facilitate discussions with students surrounding suicide, gender identity and sexual orientation. We conduct workshops in middle schools, high schools, colleges and also with youth service organizations.

What is the number one thing that people can do to address the issue of LGBT suicide, especially among young people?

JW: The most important thing anyone can do is to encourage and promote acceptance and celebrate diversity everywhere. Although we’ve made a great deal of progress, we still live in a world where LGBTQ people are often treated as second-class citizens and are subjected to discrimination, harassment and prejudice. That’s why it’s disheartening but not surprising that LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. We can all do our part to prevent youth from becoming tragic statistics by fostering safe, accepting and inclusive environments for all young people.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the organization can visit TheTrevorProject.org and click “Volunteer.” Current volunteer opportunities include becoming a helpline counselor, participating in Board committees, volunteering at events and assisting with special projects.  Upcoming events hosted by The Trevor Project include Oscar Night (West Hollywood, CA - February 22), Upright LA Cabaret (Palm Springs, CA - May 23), and Trevor New York (New York, NY - June 29).  For more information on The Trevor Project's events, click here.  If you are interested in contributing to The Trevor Project, you can give a tax-deductible financial contribution here.