Trevor Project Research Paper

The mental health of individuals in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) community is something that is a serious problem. For most of the history of the United States and many different parts of the world LGBT people faced much persecution and in some cases even death. This constant fear of discovery and the pressure that one feels on oneself when “in the closet” can lead to major mental distress. Research has shown that people who identify as LGBT are twice as likely to develop lifetime mood and anxiety disorders (Bostwick 468). This is extremely noticeable the past couple years in the suicides of bullied teens on the basis of sexual identity and expression. The stigma on simply being perceived as LGBT is strong enough to

Trevor Hall, a singer/songwriter, incorporates Hindu beliefs and teachings into his music; sometimes directly, or in the most subliminal ways. “Green Mountain State”, “Unity” and “You Can’t Rush Your Healing” have all had great influences in my life the past years, keeping me grounded and teaching me to positively explore and dive into my emotions.

As a family member of an LGBTQ youth I have observed and heard about the harsh conditions that these children are dealing with. There are thousands of homeless LGBTQ youth across the country for simply being gay and expressing their sexuality, these youth are either pushed out of their homes or run away and forced into circumstances that nobody should have to face. By researching the special needs of the LGBTQ homeless youth and the resources available to them in my community, I hope to advocate for more awareness and inspire change and understanding of their flight.

Support groups will help lower the risk of suicide. (Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006) Having parental support will tremendously help with the LGBT youth's self-confidence. The primary step for this recommendation is to make sure there is counselling when needed. Teachers and parents can help counsel the teen with all the support they can give. (Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006) This approach draws from the social-cultural perspective. Having a family connection helps with lowering the risk of suicide; the more your family supports you, the less you think of suicide. (Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006) It'll become easier to push aside the bullying as well when they feel rejected at their school. (Husted,

Homophobia has been an uprising issue since the 80s, and it needs to be stopped before it gets more out of hand. Homophobia has been the motive behind various crimes; in just the US alone. One of the various crimes was the Pulse Club shooting in Orlando.(Attaiah) wrote after an interview with the shooter's father, “Mateenn(shooter) had seen two men kissing and was instantly enraged by what he saw.” The fact that someone's sexual preference is the cause of a mass shooting shows how homophobia is a major problem here in the US. Another issue with homophobia is that it is driving a vast amount of teens to suicide. Suicide rates have increased drastically for members of the LGBTQ community. (WONG) “Suicide rates amongst gay youths are devastating. With suicide becoming a far too common way “out” of unbearable homophobic condition.” Not only suicide in general, but there has been a trend of gay youths killing themselves because it is the only way “out”. Fortunately, a man by the name of Dan Savage is trying to help with that. He has created a project by the name of “It gets better project” which is for gay, lesbian, or Transgenders to have a “safe place”.

Lands End School is a preschool and childcare center that is located in San Francisco, California. It is formerly known as Cheryl Andersen-Sorensen Childcare Center. Lands End School accepts infants, toddlers, and preschools. They strive to provide an intimate, nurturing environment for the children within the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center family and surrounding

Part of my training in becoming a counselor, I have developed and continue to develop skill to advocate for all youths. Through mindfulness training, I want be an advocate for LGBTQ youths by empowering them and providing useful skills that promote independent living. Every youth, gender conforming or non-gender conforming, deserves the right to live a success, content and fulfill life.

The members of the LGBT community have struggled a very long time through many obstacles and a lot of hatred in attempt to be accepted by the people of their community. Recently, America passed a law that made gay marriage legal, making progress on the community’s fight to abolish homophobia. Unfortunately, what many people don’t know, homosexuality still very, very illegal in 76 countries, punishments being imprisonment or worse. All around the world, 47.9% of LGBT males and 72.9% of LGBT females think about committing suicide, 29% of LGBT males and 52.4% of LGBT females attempt suicide, and 1 out of every 25 LGBT males and 2 out of every 25 of LGBT females who attempt at suicide succeed at it. Even though both Equiano’s and Wilson’s battles are over, this battle seems like it is just

In Leelah Alcorn’s suicide letter she wrote, “I want my death to mean something.” Leelah Alcorn was a teenager who was forced to undergo conversion therapy after she came out as transgender because her family did not accept her. Leelah wanted to stop the practice of conversion therapy because of its harmful effects. After Leelah’s passing some states proposed bills to ban this practice called “Leelah’s Law.” Her story made me realize the impact one person can have and anything that involves giving back to the community or others can constitute as community service.

The article "Gay Teens Are at Risk," was written by Paula Schleis and Kim Hone-McMahan and was published in 2004 in Teens at Risk. This article describes how society is forcing the adolescents in the LGBT community into depression and causing them to attempt suicide. According to the article, gay teens risk loosing friends and loved ones if they 'come out of the closet' and thus either try to fruitlessly hide their sexuality or attempt suicide. Additionally, the article states that one-third of teen suicides are committed by homosexuals because of homophobia. With this article's use of pathos and heart-string-pulling language gain empathy and attention from their readers. Though neither authors have a personal background or connection to the

In addition to social persecution, people who identify on the LGBTQ spectrum are at a higher risk of experiencing violence In 2010, the FBI reported in a hate crime statistics report that 19.3% of hate crimes in that year were motivated by a sexual orientation bias. Based on national statistics, more than 50% of transgendered youth will attempt suicide at least once by the age of 20 “Statistics About Youth Suicide”. These numbers are shocking, and it’s baffling that these youth have to live under the pressure of violence and mental illness all while being barred from the rights they

Out of the 316 million people in the United States of America, nine million of them relate as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning collectively known as LGBTQ. This makes up about four percent of the population and while this may seem like a small number, the LGBTQ equal rights movement is as big as ever. While there are many fronts to fight in the war for equal rights, the major points I will be discussing are the history of LGBTQ fight for equal rights, marriage rights and equality, and the mistreatment of LGBTQ youth in regards to bullying in schools, homelessness, and depression/suicide.

Unfortunately, in order to decrease the suicide rates at this university, the people in charge need to change their whole marketing strategy. In fact, advertising a suicide problem is not actually solving the underlying problem, but just putting a Band-Aid on a larger wound. First, the administrators need to help these students find a place where they belong in society, instead of pointing out that they already have a problem. No one likes to be reminded that they are depressed, but instead they would like to find someone who can relate to them. Therefore, as stated before, the administrators need to advertise the both LGBT club and community and to continue the suicide hotline as well. Advertising both of these will decrease the suicide problem

The summer of 2016, I began volunteering at Teen Line, a crisis hotline in which teens could reach out to other teens about their own problems. I underwent an intensive thirteen-week training program that covered issues ranging from relationship struggles to suicidal thoughts, as well as how to listen and empathize with those struggling.

For my critical reflection I attended the suicide prevention presentation with keynote speaker Jamie Tworkowski. Prior to attending this event, I wasn’t very excited. I thought that it would be a boring lecture where someone stood up and talked about suicide. I didn’t think it would tell me something I didn’t already know. It began with the discussion of Jamie’s organization called To Write Love on Her Arms and how it started with his desire to help a friend who was struggling with addiction and self harm and share her story. Her story first appeared on myspace and quickly after the page received thousands of comments and responses, Jamie realized that this is an issue that reaches everybody. Today, the organization has flourished into a