LGBTQIA+ Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Suicide is a serious health issue with millions of Americans attempting suicide annually, having long-lasting impacts on individuals, families, and communities. Youth are particularly at risk, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-14, and the third leading cause of death among 15–24-year-olds. This risk increases among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) youth. These youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
Get Help
 | 988 If you need support, you can call, text, or chat with someone 24/7 through 988. They work to provide support and resources reflective of all communities and their own needs. You can reach a specialized LGBTQIA+ affirming counseling by texting Q to 988 or pressing 3 when calling. |
| LGBTQ Get Help Brochure |
 | The Trevor Project Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S via text, chat, or phone. The Trevor Project is 100% confidential and 100% free. |
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LGBTQIA+ Local Resources and Support
 | Glad Legal Advocates & Defenders Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation. |
 | GLSEN GLSEN Connecticut is a grassroots initiative, working locally to ensure safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. |
 | I’m From Driftwood The stories on I’m From Driftwood send a powerful message to LGBTQIA+ people everywhere: you exist, you matter, you belong. |
 | Out In The Corner A new coalition of LGBTQIA+ community members and organizers, Pride groups, resource providers, and allies. The mission of Out in the Corner is to support the wellbeing of all LGBTQIA+ people within Litchfield County by focusing on the following: building community, identifying gaps in services, sharing resources. |
| The Trevor Project Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S via text, chat, or phone. The Trevor Project is 100% confidential and 100% free. |
 | You Matter AFSP is dedicated to preventing suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. As a public health organization, AFSP believes that it is our individual and collective responsibility to support the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ people. |
Healthcare Providers
 | Anchor Health Initiative Connecticut health center for the LGBTQ+ community-groundbreaking, radically inclusive, gender-affirming, and sex-positive care. |
 | Circle Care Center Specializes in primary care for people living with HIV, the LGBTQ+ community. |
 | Connecticut Children’s Gender Program Connecticut Children’s celebrates our work supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) children and youth. |
 | Hartford Healthcare Gender Health Provides safe, sensitive, comprehensive, coordinated care for the LGBTQ +community, regardless of where the patient enters the system. |
LGBTQ Youth Groups
Kiefer Counseling, Support Group Ages 12-15 & Ages 16-19 (in-person)
Every other Wednesday, starting 9/6/2023
12-15 years old, 4:30p to 5:30p 16-19 years old, 5:30p to 6:30p
To RSVP, call or email Shannon at shannon@kiefercounseling.com or (203) 232-5971
14 Maple St, Terryville
TurningPointCT, Virtual Peer Support Group for High Schoolers (Virtual)
Fridays from 6:30p to 8p, starting 10/6/2023
To join and for questions:
Contact Quinn at qjannetty@positivedirections.org or (475) 999-2605
Q+, Peer Support & Discussion Group, Ages 13-19 (Virtual)
Discussions are peer-facilitated, supported by 2+ trained adult staff, and centered on topics identified by members of the group
(There is also a more casual game night on Thursdays.)
Info at- qplusct.org/groups
Ridgefield Pride (Virtual)
LGBTQ+ Youth Support Group – 1st Monday of the month, 7-8:30 pm via ZOOM.
For more info on specific meeting dates and who to contact, click here.
Center for Youth and Families, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Reflections (in-person)
Trans Youth Group Center for Youth and Families Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Wednesdays Time: 5 pm to 6 pm Contact Kim with questions 860-489-3391
charlottehungerford.org/services/behavioral-health-services/children-families
Parents, Families and Community Resources
 | American Foundation for Suicide Prevention AFSP is focused on sharing and expanding suicide prevention strategies, programs, research initiatives, and public policies to prevent suicide in LGBTQ communities and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ people. |
 | Gender Spectrum Gender Spectrum’s mission is to create a gender-inclusive world for all children and youth. To accomplish this, we help families, organizations, and institutions increase their understanding of gender and consider the implications that evolving views have for each of us. |
 | GLAAD This series is grounded in a basic truth: that understanding our audience — and meeting them where they’re at with the language and descriptions we use — is essential to connecting with those undecided Americans who can move from ambivalent to supportive when we reach out in terms they understand. |
 | GLAAD Terminology Founded in 1985, GLAAD is a non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change. GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and creates national and local programs that advance LGBTQ acceptance. Serving as a storyteller, media force, resource, and advocate, GLAAD tackles tough issues and provokes dialogue so that authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard, and actualized. |
 | LGBTQ Family Acceptance Research from the Family Acceptance Project® shows that families play a critical role in contributing to serious health risks & promoting well-being for LGBTQ young people. Learn about how family behaviors affect your LGBTQ child’s health risks and ways to reduce risk and increase support. |
 | Peer Pride PeerPride based in Connecticut is a partnership between diverse peer support and equity experts delivering consulting and direct service programming across the US offering curriculum development, cultural competency & humility training, crisis & peer support service development, equity assessments & coaching. |
 | PFLAG Glossary Search a word or phrase to understand what it means. PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Waterbury Chapter 860-916-5951 |
 | SPRC.org Youth Resources This series of guides can help professionals, families, and communities support the mental well-being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) youth. The series includes a resource guide and four companion focus guides designed for specific populations. |
 | TALKING ABOUT Suicide & LGBT Populations Expansive news coverage of several recent suicide deaths of youth known or believed to be gay has resulted in an unprecedented national discussion about suicide risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Some of that coverage, however, has oversimplified or sensationalized a number of the underlying issues, and in some cases may have created the potential for suicide contagion risk... |