Friday Five: The Trevor Project

- The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) youth.

- The Trevor Project Mission: The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.

- The Trevor Project Vision: A future where the possibilities, opportunities and dreams are the same for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

- History: The Trevor Project was founded by writer James Lecesne, director/producer Peggy Rajski and producer Randy Stone, creators of the 1994 Academy Award®-winning short film, Trevor, a comedy/drama about a gay 13-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life. Read more about the film here; additional information about the history of the organization can be found here.

- The Trevor Project operates three core program areas in order to provide resources for LGBTQ youth and to create safe, accepting and inclusive environments for all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The three core program areas are "We Save Lives", "We Build Community" and "We Change Society and Culture".

(This week's Friday Five information was taken from The Trevor Project website. For more information about mental health, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.)

Support Spirit Day!

We at NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania are proud to support Spirit Day by wearing purple and speaking out against the bullying of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) youth. While remembering those whose lives were tragically lost, we can stand together and support those that are still experiencing negative attention and pressure in their communities.

We hope that today, you are wearing purple and speaking out against intolerance. We also hope that tomorrow and every day after, you will continue to work for acceptance for all.

Wear Purple on Oct. 20 and Support Spirit Day

How can you help show your support for the teens who took their lives because of anti-LGBT bullying? Join NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania in wearing purple on Spirit Day (Wednesday, Oct. 20)!

According to GLAAD's Spirit Day page,

"Spirit Day honors the teenagers who had taken their own lives in recent weeks. But just as importantly, it's also a way to show the hundreds of thousands of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) youth who face the same pressures and bullying, that there is a vast community of people who support them...Wearing purple on October 20 is a simple way to show the world that you stand by these courageous young people and a simple way to stand UP to the bullies. Remember those lives we've tragically lost, and show your solidarity with those who are still fighting."

Visit GLAAD's Spirit Day page for other great ways to show your support for this cause!