Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and the West Hollywood-based Trevor Project is calling for people to use social media to show support for LGBT youth who are struggling.
“During National Suicide Prevention Month this September and today, World Suicide Prevention Day, I need your help to share a potentially life-saving message with the youth we serve: ‘Whatever it is, ask for help,’ ” said Trevor Project executive director and WeHo City Councilmember Abbe Land in a Trevor Project e-mail.
In the e-mail, Land highlighted the new campaign Ask for Help, “a life-affirming campaign based on diverse PSAs that feature young people who reach out to their friends, teachers, parents or counselors for help. Through these short videos, available at OktoAsk.org, we seek to empower youth and let them know that not only is it ok to ask for help; but when you do, suddenly you’re not alone.”
Land calls on supporters to use “supportive selfies” and profile pics to show support and to share “Ask for Help” PSAs.
The Trevor Project’s suicide-prevention hotline can be reached 24 hours a day at 866-488-7386. A list of suicide warning signs is available on the organization’s website.
