Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Crisis: Providing Access to Affirming Spaces

Anderson: Today's LGBTQ youth face increased rates of bullying, social rejection, threats of violence, and stigmatization. And according to The Trevor Project, more than 1.8 million LGBTQ youth seriously consider attempting suicide each year in the U.S. Hello, and welcome to "Comcast Newsmakers." I'm Tetiana Anderson. Research shows that LGBTQ people are at risk for mental-health issues due to stigma, not because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Here to talk about all of this is Casey Pick, director of law and policy for The Trevor Project. And, Casey, thank you so much for being here.

Pick: Thank you so much for having me.

Anderson: So, you know, suicidal ideation obviously can impact people in all communities, but what are you finding about the triggers for the LGBTQ community compared to the general population?

Pick: So, while the LGBTQ community is, of course, part of all of our neighborhoods and communities and experiencing the same challenges, from responding to the COVID pandemic to the stressors of being a young person today, for our community, there are an additional layer of challenges. Fears of coming out and whether that will lead to family rejection, potentially homelessness, fears of discrimination and not being able to pursue the opportunities and activities that make life worth living every day. So when you have these challenges, you wind up with a situation where LGBTQ young people are four times as likely to report a suicide attempt than their straight or non-transgender peers.

Anderson: So it's important really to understand context when we're talking about all of this. So, you know, what are the differences in how some of what you just talked about affects the LGBTQ community differently than the general population, the difference in what these stressors actually do?

Pick: Absolutely. For example, the reality that right now there are 600 pieces of legislation that have been introduced across the country that would regulate the daily lives, basic experiences like access to healthcare or the ability to play sports or to be talked about in schools, specifically for LGBTQ young people. These are challenges that their peers never face. They don't have to think about, "What is the Supreme Court going to say this year about what rights I do and don't have?"

Anderson: So, the research that your organization did in 2023 also shows other significant issues that rise to the top when it comes to ways to relieve these stressors that you just talked about. Talk us through some of that.

Pick: So, part of this is just being intentional about taking into account the needs and experiences of LGBTQ young people. At the institutional level, I am so excited that now, when you dial 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, you have the ability to dial 3 and then be connected to counselors who are trained in how to take into account specifically the needs of LGBTQ youth. You can also increase your awareness of these issues. You can ask these questions. You can make sure that a school or online community or even your faith community is a place that is safe and welcoming and affirming for all.

Anderson: So, what kinds of things is The Trevor Project working on now so that the LGBTQ community doesn't have to face a lot of these challenges in the future?

Pick: So much of this we know comes from just a simple lack of understanding. And so we are constantly working to create new resources that can educate and inform the public, like our recent video, called "Learn With Love," in which people who may not have originally understood what it meant when their son, daughter, their child, came to them saying, "I'm gay," "I'm trans," and what that would look like, but were able to go on a journey of listening and understanding until they come to a place where that family is whole again, because that understanding is real and that young person is seen and accepted for who they are.

Anderson: I know people are going to want to know a lot more about that project and all the work that you do. What is your website? Where should they look?

Pick: They should go to thetrevorproject.org where you can find our resource center that is full of that, a guide to being an ally to trans and non-binary youth, and our latest research in national service.

Anderson: Casey Pick with The Trevor Project, thank you so much for your time.

Pick: Thank you so much.

Anderson: And thanks to you for watching, as well. As always, for more great conversations with leaders in your own community and across the nation, visit comcastnewsmakers.com. I'm Tetiana Anderson.