In 2022 the amount of hate against the LGBTQ community is alarming.
A survey was made among the youth of the LGBTQ in the US, and here are some numbers which are scary:
42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide (including more than half of transgender and nonbinary)
94% reported that the recent politics negatively impacted their mental health
48% wanted counselling from a mental health professional but were unable to get it
75% reported that they had experienced discrimination
HALF of all LGBTQ youth of Color reported discriminating based on their race/ ethnicity.
13% reported being subjected to conversion therapy (mostly under 18)
70% stated that their mental health was not helped by COVID 19
Those numbers are just applied to 35000, but imagine in the world the amount of youth that are not feeling heard.
There is still so many countries where the LGBTQ community is oppressed.
Young LGBTQ people are three times more likely to self-harm and twice as likely to contemplate suicide as no LGBTQ people.
Not just adults have a responsibility to protect youth, but everyone! Stop the bullying, harassing in schools or any other educational institutions, in toxic friendships etc. If you want to help someone that you know is struggling and isn’t getting the support he/she needs take action now to prevent their suicide and affirm LGBTQ youth.
If you don’t know how you can be the best help you can reach out to:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-273-8255.
Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.
The Trevor Project is the leading national organisation providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth. They offer phone, text, and chat options for youth that need immediate support.
You want to help?
If you want to help you find a lot of assistance in the named organisations, like how you can become an ally, how important it is to build a safe environment for the children, how to ask and listen properly etc..for you it might maybe be a small gesture or advise, a word or support, but all that can prevent depression and suicidal thoughts. For those young people it is so immensely important to hear just a small word and can save their life!
Are you affected yourself?
If you are reading this right now and you are depressed and maybe felt left alone, then please know that you’re NOT alone! Talk to family or friends, colleagues, neighbours, maybe a therapist or look for people on social media groups, that are in similar situations like you. The community is huge and there’s always someone that you can talk to. If you really feel like there’s no one at all, then please don’t be shy or embarrassed to contact the Lifeline mentioned above. You won’t be ignored!
Know that you are loved, and stronger than you think you are, that you are not alone and that you are worthy!
Your life has more worth than someone else’s hatred!
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