Explore Search
Exit

Leave this site Safely

You can quickly leave this website by clicking the “X” in the top right or by pressing the Escape key twice.

To browse this site safely, be sure to regularly clear your browser history.

Aired Sep 8, 2022

National Suicide Prevention Week

Trigger Warning: The article selected and this week’s discussion will include conversation about self-harm, suicidal ideation, and death by suicide.

988: The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched nationwide on July 16 and cities and states have already documented an increase in calls. But the launch has been criticized for a variety of reasons including a lack of local, in-person resources and an over-reliance on law enforcement and involuntary hospitalization.

We hosted a conversation about this article as a part of PFLAG Connects and Something to Talk About Live on Thursday, September 8. Did you miss it? You can still watch it here!   

Article: The 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline Is Live, but Are Call Centers Prepared?

 (Trigger warning: The article selected includes discussion of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and death by suicide.)

Source: Healthline 

Author: Andrea Rice

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Were you aware that 988 launched nationwide in July? Have you heard anything about it in your local area or state?

  2. In your experience, has the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the US had impact on queer young people in your community? How is it impacting them? 

  3. If you could give any specific advice to 988 counselors working with LGBTQ+ young people who call in, what would it be? Are there any specific resources that you would recommend and if so, what would they be? 

Bonus Resources: Check out “Experts hope LGBTQ youth will call 988, a new suicide lifeline number,” from the Washington Post by Julianne McShane and “Social media posts warn people not to call 988. Here’s what you need to know” from NPR by Aneri Pattani.

About Our Guests:

Doreen Marshall, Vice President of Mission Engagement, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Preston Mitchum, Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs, Trevor Project

Ways to Watch:

Also available on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn 

Something to Talk About Live is a series designed by PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program to create conversation about LGBTQ+ issues. Each week we offer an article on LGBTQ+ topics and suggest a few questions you can use to lead a discussion with your ERG, community group, or PFLAG chapter.