Regular readers here will remember Greg Jones, one-half of the Greg Jones-Jonathan Howard couple we cheered on during the Crate and Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest. Greg is actually Dr. Gregory Jones, a clinical psychologist specializing in LGBTQ mental health, and a hero for the great work he is doing, and for the great role model he, and his better half, Jonathan, are for our community.
Dr. Jones gave an outdoor speech in D.C. yesterday to address the onslaught of recent LGBT youth and teen suicides we have been seeing.
Listen to the facts and figures, and please share them with everyone you know. The numbers are stunning and tragic.
Here are a few stats from Dr. Jones:
- 28% of gay and lesbian high school students dropped out of school because of harassment resulting form their sexual orientation.
- Lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescents are up to 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
- 30-40% of the LGBTQ community have attempted suicide at some point in their life.
- It is estimated that 1,000 LGBTQ youth commit suicide in the United States every
- year. That is approximately THREE LGBTQ youth committing suicide every day.
From Dr. Jones’ speech:
There are multiple resources available for at risk students and teens to help
prevent suicide. The Trevor Project operates three core program areas designed
to provide life-saving and life-affirming resources for LGBTQ youth: The Trevor
Lifeline is the nation’s only 24/7 LGBTQ suicide prevention hotline and that
number is 1-866-4-U-Trevor or 1-866-488-7386. The Trevor Project provides
an acronym to help you remember how you can help someone who is suicidal:
Y-Care.
Y: You are never alone. You are not responsible for anyone who chooses to take
their own life. As friends, family and loved ones, all you can do is listen, support,
and assist the person in getting the help they need.
C: Connect the person to resources and to a supportive, trusted adult
A: Accept and listen to the person’s feelings and take them seriously
R: Respond if a person has a plan to attempt suicide and tell someone you trust
E: Empower the person to get help and call the Trevor Lifeline.
Other helpful resources include
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
www.afsp.org
Center Link: The Community of LGBT Centers
www.lgbtcenters.org
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
www.glsen.org
National Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and transgender Health
www.lgbthealth.net
Parents and Friends of Lesbians & Gays
www.pflag.org
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States
www.siecus.org
Soulforce
www.soulforce.org
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
www.sprc.org
Greg says, “I too was bullied for my perceived sexuality and experienced the isolating pain that this can cause. I dreaded the school bus, gym class, and lunch time. It was not easy, but IT GOT BETTER. Taunting increased during high school, but IT GOT BETTER. I came out to friends and family during college and IT GOT BETTER. And recently, one of my childhood bullies contacted me to say, I’m sorry I was wrong for how I treated you. We ended up getting together for lunch this past summer and actually had an enjoyable time. So I am here to testify that it DID GET BETTER.
It gets better.
Remember, nothing is ever worth taking your life.
The Trevor Project: a 24-hour hotline for gay and questioning youth: 866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)