| Founder(s) | • James Lecesne • Peggy Rajski • Randy Stone |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 in West Hollywood, California |
| Location | United States |
| Key people | David L. McFarland (Interim Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer) |
| Focus | Suicide among LGBT youth |
| Method | Suicide prevention |
| Motto | Saving Young Lives |
| Website | TheTrevorProject.org |
The Trevor Project is an American non-profit organization founded in 1998 and the leading national organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Through a toll-free telephone number, it operates "The Trevor Lifeline", a confidential service that offers trained counselors. The project also provides guidance and vital resources to parents and educators in order to foster safe, accepting and inclusive environments for all youth, at home and at school. It has been supported by celebrities including Chris Colfer[1], Neil Patrick Harris[2], James Marsden[3], Daniel Radcliffe.[4] and Darren Criss[5].
Contents |
| Suicide |
|---|
| Social aspects |
| Legislation · Philosophy · Religious views · Euthanasia · Right to die · Benevolent suicide |
| Suicide crisis |
| Assessment of risk · Crisis hotline · Intervention · Prevention · Suicide watch |
| Suicide types |
| Assisted · Copycat · Cult · Familicide · Forced · Honor · Internet · Mass · Murder–suicide · Parasuicide · Suicide attack · By cop · Pact |
| Epidemiology |
| Gender · Suicide rate |
| History |
| Suicide in antiquity · List of suicides · Suicide methods (Hanging, London Underground) |
| Related phenomena |
| Ideation · Self-harm · Suicide note · Locations · Failed suicide attempt |
| By country |
| Canada · China · France · India · Japan · Pakistan · South Korea · United States |
| Rates |
| List of countries by suicide rate List of OECD countries by suicide rate |
The project was founded in 1998 in West Hollywood, California, by James Lecesne, Peggy Rajski, and Randy Stone. They are the creators of the 1994 Academy Award-winning short film Trevor, a dramedy about Trevor, a gay thirteen-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life. When the film was scheduled to air on HBO television in 1998, the filmmakers realized that some of the program's young viewers might be facing the same kind of crisis as Trevor, and began to search for a support line to be broadcast during the airing. They discovered that no such helpline existed, and decided to dedicate themselves to forming what was, in their view, a much-needed resource: an organization to promote acceptance of LGBTQ youth, and to aid in crisis and suicide prevention among that group.
Thus The Trevor Lifeline was established with seed funds provided by The Colin Higgins Foundation and HBO's license fee. As a result, it became the first nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth.[6]The project also provides online support to young people through the project's website, as well as guidance and resources to educators and parents.
In November 2009, the project was contracted by the Tulare County Suicide Prevention Task Force, located in Tulare County, California.[7] With this agreement it the first time the project had received public funds. In June 2009, seven Tulare County volunteers completed The Trevor Project Lifeguard Workshop Facilitator training. Lifeguard workshops have been done in schools in Tulare County municipalities including Dinuba, Lindsay, Porterville and Visalia, as well as Hanford, located in adjacent Kings County.
The Trevor Lifeline is the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. The lifeline is a free and confidential service that offers hope and someone to talk to, 24/7. The lifeline's trained counselors listen and understand without judgment. The lifeline's counselors and website can also point one to supportive organizations and groups in your area.
On August 10, 2009, the project announced that it received a major cash donation to support the lifeline, from actor Daniel Radcliffe, a star in the Harry Potter film series. Radcliffe said in a statement:[8]
| “ | I am very pleased to begin my support of the Trevor Project, which saves lives every day through its critical work. It's extremely distressing to consider that in 2009 suicide is a top-three killer of young people, and it's truly devastating to learn that LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. | ” |
"Dear Trevor" is an online non-time-sensitive question-and-answer resource for young people with questions surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity.
TrevorChat is a free, confidential, live and secure online messaging service provided by The Trevor Project. TrevorChat is only intended to assist those who are not at risk for suicide.[9]
TrevorSpace is an online, social networking community for LGBTQ youth, ages 13 through 24, and their friends and allies. Youth can create personal profiles and connect with other young people throughout the country, as well as find resources within their communities. TrevorSpace is carefully monitored by administrators designated by the project to ensure all content is age appropriate, youth-friendly and factual. One way is by monitoring all new typed content posted by members and inspecting any new content sent in by users. This is one of the most protective sites for LGBTQ children ever made. This ensures the site provides the safest space possible for its young members. TrevorSpace also links members to project's home page, where information about The Trevor Lifeline, "Dear Trevor", and other important, lifesaving resources is available. The TrevorSpace interface is a youth-only model of Connexion.org, an LGBTQ networking site. The software used to create TrevorSpace was donated to the project by Tim Gill, an American software entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Through the Palette Fund Internship Program, the project provides for five internships in both its Los Angeles, California, and New York City, New York, offices. Interns are placed among the program, communication and development departments and provides an opportunity for young people to learn about working in the non-profit sector. Palette Fund internships are specifically designed to introduce young leaders to the LGBTQ movement.[10]
The Youth Advisory Council serves as a liaison between youth nationwide and the project, as it relates to young people and the issues surrounding suicide, sexuality and gender identity. The council submits recommendations to the project in an effort to increase Trevor visibility and best serve the LGBTQ youth population.[11]
The project's Lifeguard Workshop Program uses a structured, age-appropriate curriculum to address topics around sexuality, gender identity, the impacts of language and behavior, and what it means for young people to feel different. The program also teaches young people to recognize depression and suicide amongst their peers, the impacts of language and behavior on LGBTQ youth, and suicide prevention skills in schools.[12]