Election night is often a day of great anxiety for many of us, even those of us who don’t often pay attention to politics. But when your or your children’s existence becomes politicized by campaigns and legislation — when your life could be fundamentally changed depending on who wins — that’s even more nerve-wracking.
The Trevor Project (TTP), a leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, said its crisis services, including lifeline, chat, text capabilities, began seeing significant increases at the end of election night. That’s about a 125% increase compared to just a few weeks ago. The next day, November 6, the overall trading volume of Trevor’s project increased by nearly 700%. Specific discussions about the election increased by nearly 5,200%. BIPOC youth accounted for one-third of these calls and communications.
The rise appears to support research conducted by The Trevor Project earlier this year. The organization’s annual National LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health Survey in the U.S. shows that 90% of queer young people say their well-being has been negatively impacted by recent politics.
Additionally, a study by The Trevor Project was published in natural human behavior The study found a significant link, as high as 72 percent, between the enactment of anti-trans laws and suicide attempts by transgender and non-binary teens in the past year. These trends also emerged at the local level: They found that schools with anti-LGBTQ+ policies produced LGBTQ+ students with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation and attempts.
Fortunately, for LGBTQ+ kids who need more support in the days, weeks, months, or even years after the election, there are resources to help them get through it.
The Trevor Project
In addition to connecting LGBTQ+ youth with trained counselors via phone, text or chat 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, The Trevor Project offers numerous resources, including one for those who aren’t ready to talk Breathing exercises, and for those who are ready to shout. There are even specific resources for building support and community after the election.
These resources are free.
“The Trevor Project wants LGBTQ+ young people to know that no matter the outcome of any election, we are here for you and we will continue to fight for safe, affirming spaces for every LGBTQ+ young person, especially during challenging times. LGBTQ+ Young people: your life matters and you were born to live it,” Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, said in a statement. “The Trevor Project will always be here to support you, listen to you, and provide you with the care you deserve.”
Go here to text or chat, or call toll-free 1-866-488-7386.
across lifeline
This grassroots organization—for and by the trans community—offers a hotline and small grants to provide direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis.
The hotline connects callers with trans/non-binary peers and provides complete anonymity and confidentiality. Third-party rescue services (911 or law enforcement) will not become involved without the caller’s consent. People can call even if they’re not in crisis, even if they’re not sure if they’re trans or non-binary. There are Spanish speaking companions.
Existing microgrants provide low-barrier funding and support for gender-affirming care to trans and non-binary people, such as changing names or gender markers to identify legal documents, permanent hair removal, and necessities for incarcerated trans people.
“Putting money directly into the hands of trans people is critical to economic and racial justice, as well as our overall well-being,” the website explains. “Reallocating funds is inspired by the principle of mutual aid: our support of each other is a political act. “
Please call 1-877-565-8860 during Trans Lifeline business hours from 1 pm to 9 pm Eastern Time.
LGBT National Help Center
Founded in 1996, the organization provides peer support, community connections and resource information through help lines and online chat rooms, including one specifically for LGBTQ youth. There is also an out-of-town hotline. The National LGBT Help Center is dedicated to helping teens and adults with coming out issues, safe sex information, school bullying, family issues, relationship issues and more.
“People who come to us for help often live in rural and conservative areas of the country and often feel severely isolated, closed off and hopeless, with few others they can safely talk to,” they explain on their website. “We take confidentiality very seriously. . We understand that the content discussed with us is personal.
Please call the Youth Line at 1-800-246-7743. Callline operating hours are listed here.
local resources
Remember Mr. Rogers’ adage about finding help? Well, chances are there are already people doing this work in and around your community. I live in Connecticut, and Pride in the Hills is a wonderful organization that not only fosters community for queer people in a quiet, fairly rural corner of the state, but also works with a variety of other organizations that provide health, mental health, and services organizations are connected.
“It was huge for us to find a local nonprofit dedicated to providing life-affirming programming for LGBTQ+ youth,” said Julie Sprankles, associate editor of Lifestyle & Entertainment at Scary Mom said. “The program we’re a part of is called We Are Family and I can’t overstate the impact that having someone in a child’s life fighting for them and pouring love into them makes.”
Splanks said her children have developed a “safe space” through We Are Family, a weekly social support group of other LGBTQ teens where they can talk about their thoughts and hang out. , as well as art therapy, conducted by licensed practicing therapists.
Again, a field organization is a great resource more Resources: For example, We Are Families often partners with the Alliance for Full Acceptance (AFFA), which has more great resources on its page.
“While these two organizations are local to South Carolina, it’s 100 percent worth it to find one in your area,” Sprankles said, “or contact a national nonprofit to get pointed in the right direction!”
If search engines or local queries don’t lead you to some good local nonprofits, try calling a national hotline to see if there are groups in your area that can help.
