The Trevor Project’s first National Survey on #LGBTQ Youth #MentalHealth was released this week — and its results are disturbing.
Among the more dramatic results are numbers on #suicidalideation and #suicide attempts among #LGBTQ youth.
Thirty-nine percent of #LGBTQ young people surveyed seriously considered #suicide in the year leading up to the survey. That number was 54 percent among #transgender and non-binary youth in the survey.
Nearly one in five #LGBTQ youth actually made a #suicide attempt over the same period — and one in three transgender or nonbinary youth made an attempt.
Add so-called “conversion therapy” designed to “cure” young people of being #LGBTQ and the numbers get even higher.
Among #LGBTQ youth in the survey who had been through conversion therapy, #suicide attempts were at 42 percent. For #transgender and nonbinary youth who had experienced it, the number was 57 percent.
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Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
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This month Colorado became the 18th U.S. state to outlaw conversion therapy, part of a wave of such laws sweeping the nation.
In North Carolina, the Mental Health Protection Act, was filed in March. It would outlaw conversion therapy, part of a rapidly growing national movement. Despite polls showing overwhelming bipartisan support for the ban, it faced stiff opposition from religious groups and conservative Republicans and did not receive a hearing in this legislative session. No such bill has yet been passed in any state in the Southeast.
“The data provides a sobering look at how far we still have to go to protect #LGBTQ young lives,” wrote Amit Paley, CEO and executive director of the Trevor Project, in a statement accompanying the survey results. “But the survey also reveals the resilience and diversity of #LGBTQ youth and provides guidance on what can be done to enable them to survive and thrive.”
Get the full report (and info on methodology) here.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
