The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people, providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to individuals in need.
The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among the estimated 1.8 million LGBTQ young people seriously considering suicide each year in the United States. The organization operates 24/7 crisis services, including via phone, text, and web chat, as well as a peer networking community, TrevorSpace. Through extensive research and analysis, The Trevor Project has been able to take a data driven approach to providing support to LGBTQ youth and its plans for international expansion.
The Trevor Project’s CEO & Executive Director, Amit Paley, said, “I am so thrilled to share The Trevor Project’s plans to launch our digital crisis services for LGBTQ youth in Mexico. For the first time, LGBTQ youth outside of the U.S. will be able to connect with trained counselors for life-saving support and affirmation, 24/7, and for free.”
Earlier this year, The Trevor Project announced that it would launch its digital crisis services in Mexico in an effort to reach the estimated 745,000 LGBTQ young people ages 13 to 24 who are in crisis.
The decision to expand in Mexico was preceded by a rigorous research and evaluation process that examined myriad factors such as local LGBTQ-focused laws, regulatory risks, and available human resources and operational feasibility in order to quantify the need for mental health support.
The Trevor Project was founded in 1998 after the creators of the Academy Award-winning short film Trevor (1994) realized that there was no lifeline to include during the film’s broadcast for those going through the same experience as the film’s main character. Since its inception, the organization has used data and an ever-expanding body of research to grow from a lifeline to the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ youth.
In addition to supporting those in need, The Trevor Project actively engages with the public through advocacy campaigns that push for policies that protect LGBTQ youth and public education initiatives in order to create a world where all LGBTQ young people see a bright future for themselves.
The Trevor Project incorporates new studies, scientific advances, and research protocols in order to grow its support system and continually refine and deepen the impact of its programs.
Recently, the organization published reports analyzing various issues facing LGBTQ youth including mental health among the hearing-impaired, eating disorders and the impact of homelessness and housing instability among community members.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.
The Trevor Project at a Glance
- Founded in 1998
- Nonprofit Organization
- Headquartered in West Hollywood, CA
- Goodwin client since November 2020