Acceptance matters in youth suicide prevention

Acceptance matters in youth suicide prevention | Photo: Damir Samatkulov

Suicide remains one of the most urgent public health crises of our time, and for LGBTQ+ young people the risks are disproportionately high. Studies consistently show that these adolescents are more likely to consider or attempt taking their own lives compared with their peers. Against this stark backdrop, The Trevor Project has become a critical lifeline, offering not only immediate intervention but also a wider framework of acceptance and advocacy.

Founded in 1998, the organisation emerged from the absence of a safe place for young queer people in crisis. Its founders, after creating a film about a gay teenager contemplating suicide, were struck by the lack of specialised support available. What began as a single hotline has since developed into a network of suicide prevention services, now recognised as the largest LGBTQ+ youth crisis organisation in the United States.

The work of a lifeline

At the heart of The Trevor Project are its 24/7 crisis services. The TrevorLifeline provides immediate phone support, while TrevorText and TrevorChat extend access through digital platforms. TrevorSpace, its online community, offers peer connection and affirmation, countering the isolation that so often fuels despair.

Evidence underlines the effectiveness of such tailored care. Research by the organisation shows that the presence of even one accepting adult can reduce the risk of suicide attempts among LGBTQ+ youth by 40 %. These statistics illuminate a fundamental truth: suicide prevention is not only about emergency response, but about building environments where young people feel safe to exist as themselves.

Growing demand, shrinking resources

The importance of this support has only increased as political rhetoric and hostile legislation have escalated. The Trevor Project regularly records surges in crisis calls, including spikes of over 700 % following divisive political announcements. In the last year alone, its staff and volunteers have fielded hundreds of thousands of contacts from young people facing thoughts of self-harm.

Yet, while demand rises, resources have been strained. In January 2025 the organisation announced layoffs and restructuring in response to a widening gap between expenses and income. Compounding this, the federal government discontinued LGBTQ+ specialised services on the national 988 suicide lifeline in July 2025. That programme, previously staffed in part by Trevor counsellors, had reached more than 1.3 million young people since 2022.

Although The Trevor Project continues to operate its own hotlines, the closure of the federal partnership represented the loss of $25 million in funding and forced the dismissal of over 200 counsellors. The organisation has since relied on private donors to sustain 30 counsellors, while volunteers have stepped in to manage call volumes that have grown by 20 % in recent weeks.

Why targeted suicide prevention matters

These developments highlight a broader truth: generic mental health services are not enough. For LGBTQ+ youth, whose struggles are often compounded by rejection, bullying, or family estrangement, specialist support is essential. Crisis intervention that acknowledges identity can mean the difference between life and death.

The broader framework of suicide prevention, as reflected in global development goals such as SDG 3 on health and well-being, demands inclusivity. Without recognising the unique vulnerabilities of LGBTQ+ youth, efforts to reduce youth suicide risk will fall short.

Despite financial pressures and political headwinds, The Trevor Project remains a vital point of contact for young people who may see no other option. Its resilience is testament to a wider truth: the fight against youth suicide requires both institutional support and community solidarity. Acceptance, even from one adult, has measurable protective power.

To secure a sustainable future for suicide prevention, society must invest not only in broad mental health systems but also in affirming services that ensure no young person feels invisible in their darkest hour. The Trevor Project is not just a hotline. It is a reminder that compassion, visibility, and tailored care can keep young people alive.

For further reading on global youth suicide prevention efforts, see the World Health Organisation’s resources on mental health and the OECD’s reports on adolescent well-being.

To learn more about The Trevor Project, access its resources or support its work, visit www.thetrevorproject.org.