Presented by: Evelyn Goode

Overview• The Trevor Project was founded by

writer James Lecesne, director/producer Peggy Rajski and producer Randy Stone, creators of the 1994 Academy Award®-winning short film, Trevor, a comedy/drama about a gay 13-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life.

• The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing qualitative life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.

What do we do?• A free counseling hotline is provided 24/7 for those who

are considering suicide.• A new online chat feature has been installed so those who

are less comfortable on the phone can still speak with a trained professional.

• Education is provided for people on how to help someone who may be expressing suicidal thoughts.

• Lists of Local Resources are made available such as:– Support Groups– Mental Health Centers– Shelters and Transitional Housing – HIV/AIDS testing centers

An example of the educational resources provided by the Trevor Project.

Need in the Community

• Homosexual students are up to 4 times more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual peers.

• More than 1/3 of LGBT youth have reported making a suicide attempt.

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death on college campuses.

• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people ages 15-24.

• There are many foundations focusing on suicide prevention or prevention among teens, but not specific to gay youth which is an issue which must be handled differently.

• Nine out of ten LGBT students have reported experiencing harassment at school; three-fifths felt unsafe at school because of their orientation; one-third skipped a day of school this month because they felt unsafe.

• Bullying and harassment or generally feeling unaccepted is the leading factor in suicide among gay teens.

http://www.thetrevorproject.org/suicide-resources/suicidal-signs

Inputs• Volunteers to assist in running of hotline and

workshops• Funding to run programs, website, pay

employees and distribute educational materials (Survival Kits, flyers, brochures, etc.)

• Staff and a Board of Directors to guide the organization

• Partnerships with other foundations

Outputs• Created 24/7 crisis counseling helpline

• Implemented online chat crisis counseling

• Expanded awareness of LGBTQ Teen Suicide issue, particularly in schools

(No other numerical statistics or information provided by the foundation)

Process• Listening to and counseling at-risk youth in

order to prevent suicide

• Educating the public on suicide and suicide prevention– Pamphlets, handouts, and other reading

material (especially in classrooms)– Public speakers at schools– Awareness Events

Outcomes• Young lives are saved and supported • People gain the knowledge and confidence to become a life saver if

necessary

Connection to Critical Thinking, Critical Reading,

and Critical ActionJust Think

• This institution highly values pragmatic self improvement for a better life, as well as healthy living. This connects directly to mental wellness.

• Through critical reading, users are asked to apply to everyday life the articles and resources provided on the foundation website.

The Trevor Project• The first step in suicide prevention is promoting mental wellness, and asking the potential victim to evaluate the assets of their lives, and therefore see how much they are valued and loved

• Those seeking help have the opportunity to seek radically different solutions other than suicide, which is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. To do this, users must utilize critical reading of the articles and resources provided on the foundation website.

Connections cont.Just Think

•Users are given the opportunity to persevere and to have courage through whatever hardship they may be experiencing, by being provided solutions to these problems through the use of technology and media

• It is however up to the users to take critical action in their lives, once the opportunities and solutions are presented to them

The Trevor Project•Users of our institution have the ability and are asked to monitor their own thinking process and correct mistakes through the use of online or other technological resources when they begin to feel inadequate

• From there, the potential victim can begin to change habits of mind metacognitively and improve the quality of their lives forever

How Can You Get Involved?

• There are many volunteer opportunities with The Trevor Project which include but are not limited to:– Lifeline Counselors– Lifeguard Workshop Facilitators– TrevorSpace Administrators– Project Volunteers– Event Volunteers– Trevor Outreach

• Additionally, people are always welcome and encouraged to make donations to the foundation in any increment. It helps, no matter how small!

• It is incredibly proactive to call your email your Representatives and communicate the importance of this issue – last month Senator Bob Casey introduced the Safe Schools Improvement Act in Congress thanks to calls from people like you!

Getting Involved Cont.• Teachers can request a Trevor Survival Kit to be allotted for student use in the classroom. The kit includes: – 25 Youth Brochures– 25 Wallet Cards– 1 list of books and films for LGBTQ youth– 1 Educator Resource Guide– 1 copy of the Academy Award winning short film

Trevor– 5 stickers with information on the Trevor Lifeline

My Connection to this Foundation• I am a liberal and open-minded

person, so morally I believe in supporting gay rights and equality for all people.

• But on a personal level, I have many friends who belong to the LGBT community. Most of those friends have struggled with their identity and have expressed self-destructive thoughts along the way. I love each of them dearly and would never want anything to happen to them, so I also feel sympathetic to others in similar situations

• In high school I was the President and Founder of our campus’ first Gay-Straight Alliance which promoted tolerance and prevented bullying on campus. It is still running today.