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Today, The Trevor Project marks 13 years of 24-hour daily lifeline service to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in crisis. In celebration of “Trevor” turning 13, the minimum age of the young people served by The Trevor Project, the organization has launched a birthday wish campaign online to engage supporters in suicide prevention in the weeks leading up to National Suicide Prevention Week, (September 4-10, 2011). Supporters can participate by visiting http://bit.ly/trevorbday.
 
“For so many young people, turning 13 marks a seminal time in their lives. These years can bring change, uncertainty, and increased levels of anxiety and depression, which can be compounded by questions about their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said David McFarland, Interim Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project. “The Trevor Project was founded to ensure that young people experiencing these heightened emotions, especially if they are considering suicide, always have a safe and accepting place to call in times of crisis. As ‘Trevor’ grows into the age of the youth we serve, we will continue to lead in direct crisis intervention, suicide prevention education, and advocacy on behalf of young people in crisis.”
 
On August 8, 1998, The Trevor Project officially opened the first 24-hour national lifeline for LGBTQ youth in crisis. That day, HBO began to air the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, by writer James Lecesne, director Peggy Rajski and producer Randy Stone, co-founders of The Trevor Project. The film tells the story of a gay 13-year old who attempts suicide. That first night, The Trevor Project received more than 1,500 calls. Since then, the Trevor Lifeline has taken hundreds of thousands of calls from young people in crisis and who plan to end their own lives.
 
In addition to the Lifeline, the organization operates the first national crisis intervention instant messaging service in the private sector, TrevorChat. It is also the only organization operating a social network, (TrevorSpace.org), while also providing direct crisis intervention services. As a result, The Trevor Project is the recognized leader in digital crisis intervention, serving as advisors to the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and social media leaders like Facebook, Google, Yahoo! and Twitter.
 
To celebrate “Trevor’s” birthday, supporters of The Trevor Project will be engaged throughout the month of August to learn about the warning signs of suicide and how to help someone experiencing a crisis. Individuals will also be engaged to make minimum $13 gifts to the suicide prevention organization. Donors will receive a “party favor” in thanks for their gift, gaining special access to view the Academy Award®-winning short film, TREVOR, online.
 
Later this month, The Trevor Project will launch “Talk to Me,” an educational campaign in support of National Suicide Prevention Week. More details about the campaign, including broadcast PSAs, creative collateral and educational materials will be available at the end of August.
 
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. For more information, visit TheTrevorProject.org.
 

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