LGBTQ—Get Help

Below are many links and much information to help you learn more about the LGBTQ community, get support, or find resources. See also our resources page for additional information.

The Trevor Project 

(Title is link to site) The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention to lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. 

If you need help now:

• Trevor Lifeline–866-488-7386, open 24/7, including all holidays.
• TrevorChat: Online instant messaging with a TrevorChat counselor. Available 7 days a week between 3:00pm-9:00pm (ET) and 12:00pm-6:00pm (PT). Go to the Trevor website to enter the online portal for access.
• TrevorText–Text “Trevor” to 1-202-304-1200. Standard text messaging rates apply. Available on Thursdays and Fridays between 4:00pm-8:00pm (ET) and 1:00pm-5:00pm (PT).

If you would like support:

• TrevorSpace–An online community for LGBTQ young people and their friends (ages 13-24).  It is a monitored site. Trevor claims it won’t send spam or give out your email address to anyone ever.
• Trevor Support Center–Where LGBTQ youth and their loved ones can find answers to FAQs, connect to many resources, and access suicide prevention information. This is also where you can find a glossary of terms, links to many support groups, a mental health section which links to support organizations for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicide and substance abuse. Specific topics/ discussions: Asexual, Bisexual, Coming Out, Family & Friends, Gay & Lesbian, Glossary, Healthy Relationships, HIV/Aids, Homelessness, I Have A Crush, In School, International, Mental Health, LGBTQ & Religion, Self-Injury, Sexual Health, and Transgender Identity. (Many links provided for each of these topics.) 
• LifeGuard Workshop–A free online learning module with a video, curriculum, and teacher resources for middle school and high school classrooms.
• Training for Youth-Serving Professionals–In-person Ally and CARE training designed for adults who work with youth (counselors, educators, administrators, school nurses, and social workers) that discuss LGBTQ- competent suicide prevention.
• Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention–Created by the Trevor Project in collaboration with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the American School Counselor Association, and the National Association of School Psychologists. A modular, adaptable document that will help school administrators implement comprehensive suicide prevention policies in communities nationwide. The full policy and fact sheet are downloadable. Webinar and a PDF of the webinar presentation slides can be viewed.
• A section on Preventing Suicide–Includes warning signs; risk factors; facts about suicide; how you can help; responsible reporting of suicide; and talking about suicide and LGBTQ populations.
• Trevor Blog, Trevor News, and Trevor Events–The latest news.¹

It Gets Better Project

(Title is link to site) A website to show young people who are gay, bi, or trans that the struggle they feel to be accepted GETS BETTER and how love and happiness can be a reality in the future. It’s also a place where straight allies can visit and support their family and friends.  It’s a website where people can share their stories and watch videos of love and support. 

• Thousands of user-created videos: by celebrities, organizations, activists, politicians, and media personalities (Examples: Wanda Sykes, Raven-Symone, and Adam Lambert)
• Timeline of How It’s Gotten Better since 2010²

GLAAD

(Title is link to site) Glaad works with print, broadcast, and online news sources to bring people compelling stories from the LGBTQ community that build support for equality. When news outlets get it wrong, GLAAD is there to respond and advocate fairness and accuracy.  A review of this website shows our youth that it, and other advocacy groups, are diligently advocating to accelerate acceptance of LGBTQ populations in today’s society. GLAAD also provides media training to organizations working specifically to improve the lives of LGBTQ. The Glaad site has an LGBT Resource List with many links.³

National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)

• Video: An Introduction to Transgender People
• “Understanding Transgender People: The Basics”
• Frequently Asked Questions about Transgender People
• Statistics: Facts from the 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey
• Transgender People and Bathroom Access: Information for transgender people and allies on responding to various questions and concerns regarding bathroom access
• Guide to Being a Good Ally to Transgender People: A downloadable PDF document that lists the necessary things to remember about being an ally, how to interact with transgender people, how to speak out and support transgender people in larger groups, such as at school or work
• How to make businesses, schools and other places transgender-friendly: Gender on forms, access to bathrooms, support & inclusivity – not just tolerance, writing a transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination policy
• How you can be an ally and help change the world: 52 ways listed
• Understanding Non-Binary People: Description of and tips to help you be respectful and supportive.⁴

(Title is link to site)

Education

If you are LGBTQ and are considering a college education, AffordableColleges.com (a group of professionals from a variety of backgrounds who believe college costs are too high) has put together many resources and a guide that is rich with information to help you navigate the college search and admission process.  The LGBTQ College Collective Guide links directly to the pertinent information on the site and will help alleviate the stress of trying to find an LGBTQ friendly school.  It also provides information for scholarships, LGBTQ Academics, many incredible National Resources, and much more.

Seeking Help

The LGBTQ community, like all other people, may at times suffer from mental health issues. The Learn- LGBTQ page on our Nick’s Network of Hope website sets forth the most recent statistics for the LGBTQ community. If you are a member of the LGBTQ community and believe you are suffering from a mental health issue, consider the following information sourced by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and linked here, if you need help seeking professional help:

1. The Disparity in Care–Though more therapists and psychiatrists today have positive attitudes toward the LGBTQ community, people still face unequal care due to a lack of training or understanding. Health care providers may not have current knowledge of the needs of the LGBTQ community or lack knowledge and experience working with LGBTQ – so may focus more on a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity than a person’s mental health condition.
2. Finding a Provider–Try to find a mental health provider you can trust. You should feel comfortable with your provider so that you can be open and feel safe. Ideally, you will find a provider that is LGBTQ-friendly and knowledgeable about the specific cultural considerations and issues faced by LGBTQ individuals with mental health conditions. After your visit, think about your interactions and ask yourself whether the provider seemed at ease with you and talked openly about your sexuality or gender identity. Did you feel comfortable? If not, seek another therapist.

Ideas to help locate an LGBTQ Inclusive Provider

• Use the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association’s Provider Directory to look through a list of inclusive medical providers.
• Check out the Healthcare Equality Index to find the LGBTQ inclusive policies of organization leaders in healthcare.
• Review resources on the rights and experiences of LGBTQ people in mental health care, including the Center for American Progress and the National Transgender Discrimination Survey.
• Ask friends and local LGBTQ centers for referrals or suggestions of LGBTQ-friendly healthcare providers.
• Call ahead and ask if a provider you are considering has any LGBTQ patients.
• If you are uncomfortable about coming out and being open with your provider, bring a trusted friend or family member with you to your appointment.

Tips For Talking To Your Provider

• If you feel comfortable, come out when you meet with your provider.
• Ask questions about the provider’s experience working with LGBTQ people.
• Be confident about disclosing relevant information about your sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Be open about your thoughts and feelings of depression, suicide, anxiety, fear, and self-harm.
• Ask for information about any health-care-related referrals, including to other therapists and psychiatrists.⁵

Sources