Inspire 1,000's of LGBT youth & allies in CT & US

You know from our past reports that we are grateful for your support and your generosity. We have often been able to tell you wonderful stories about the difference your dollars have made.  All of that is still true.  AND. This has been a rough couple of months for us at True Colors.  So this report is going to look a little different.  Two of our youth died by their own hands last month.  Both had been struggling with depression, identity, and just trying to get by.  Most times, our kids (with your support and ours) muddle through the tough times. Sometimes they don't. We have spent much of the last few weeks supporting other youth in the program, helping them mourn and deal with their loss and hurt and anger. It is amazing how we blame ourselves when something like this happens...

Rather than talking about what we have accomplished together this quarter, we want to focus on making sure that together we can prevent other kids from making that same heartbreaking choice. We want to make sure that every youth and adult we come in contact with knows some basic skills for preventing suicide. Each one of us can be the one to start the conversation - each one of us has the potential to save a life.  Just ask.  

People are often afraid to ask youth (or adults for that matter) about suicide because they fear it will make them suicidal. It doesn't! One of the risk factors for suicide is that a youth knows someone who attempted and/or completed the act. With two recent suicides in CT, everybody should get trained or learn QPR (question, persuade, refer). It is a great tool. Here are the key questions:

• Have you ever wished you were dead or that you wouldn’t wake up in the morning? (if yes, ask #2)

• Have you actually had any thoughts of killing yourself? (if they answer yes, ask the next 2 questions. If they say yes again, they are at significant risk and need a referral to clinical help immediately. It is important to stay with the youth (or adult) until help arrives)

• Have you done anything to prepare for killing yourself? (do you have a plan, method, means, etc.
• Have you tried to hurt yourself but been interrupted or changed your mind or it didn’t work?

 Here's how to get immediate help: