Pick up the phone. Please. Call 1-800-273-8255 or text 838255. The person who responds will listen to anything you want to say. They will talk with you for as long as you need. You can say as much or as little as you would like. They will not leave you until you want them to, and they can connect you to others who are willing to do exactly the same. Regardless of your age, gender, or sexual orientation, there is someone out there who truly wants to help you.

If you are afraid you might be an immediate danger to yourself, call 911 or go to the local emergency room. First, you will be assessed. Then you will be given a treatment plan, which may consist of inpatient or outpatient therapy, depending on your needs. If you can, take someone you trust with you to act as your advocate and sounding board when it comes to communicating and making decisions. You should also take your identification, insurance information, and a list of all medications you are currently taking.

You’re not alone. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for people ages 15 to 44 and affects more than 15 million of your fellow American adults. That’s nearly seven percent of the population. The symptoms and effects of depression are mental, physical, and social. While these effects vary from person to person, they can include increased irritability, poor performance at work or school, exhaustion, withdrawal, and substance use or abuse.

Many of those who are dealing with major or persistent depression also experience suicidal thoughts. While no one knows exactly how many people struggle with suicidal ideation, an estimated one million people attempt suicide each year. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. But it doesn’t have to be.

You’re not alone. Every single day, you encounter people who have been right where you are. Hurt, confused, overwhelmed, sad, lonely, scared. You pass them on the street. You see them acting in TV shows and movies. You may even sit next to them at the dinner table. Depression does not discriminate. People of all ages, races, and walks of life suffer from it. We just don’t talk about it.

But talking about it is actually one of the best things you can do to cope with long-term depression and suicidal thoughts. It can be someone close to you like a partner, family member, or friend. In most cases, you should also pursue a relationship with a professional counselor, psychiatrist, or psychologist.

Additionally, many people find that prescription anti-depressants can help ease some of the pain and reduce suicidal ideation. You can work with your doctor or care provider to develop a safety plan, a written document outlining what you’ll do when you have thoughts of hurting yourself. You should also ensure your home is a safe place by removing objects like guns, pills, and razorblades that you may use to self harm.

The thing about suicide is, your circumstances are unique to you. No one knows exactly how you feel. No one necessarily understands what you’re going through. No matter how much you choose to share, no one will be able to comprehend the pain you’re feeling… and no one will claim to. You may not even completely understand it yourself. But you’re not alone. Please don’t be afraid to get the help you need.

The post Depressed? Suicidal? There is help first appeared on Lesbian.com.

We all know LGBTQ youth suicide is a problem. We see high profile cases every few months and a brief, heated conversation ensues. The subject is not, however, part of every day discussion, in part perhaps because many don’t realize just how common LGBTQ suicide really is. Every day in the United States, our community loses 2-5 young people who take their own lives, not to mention the many more who are thinking about, planning and attempting suicide.

Acclaimed spoken word artist Pandora Scooter has been taking her show, “I AM ENOUGH,” to venues across the country in an effort to start a frank, life-saving dialogue about the negative self-talk that can lead to suicide. I asked Pandora a few questions about the inspiration behind the show, its aims and the impact it is already having on her audience.

What inspired the I AM ENOUGH show and what does it mean to you on a personal level?
Four years ago I wrote and toured a show called “OUTwordlyFabulous,” which was about stopping bullying and homophobia. This show toured to LGBTQ Centers with Youth Programs. When I returned from tour, I realized that there was a major component of this bullying story that I was missing. The component was suicide and the way that people, youth in particular, have a bully INSIDE their heads that pushes them to end their lives. I had such a bully in my head for decades and it stemmed from the way I was treated when I was a kid — by other kids, by my parents, by teachers. Everywhere I looked people were telling me that I wasn’t good enough, that I wasn’t smart enough, that I wasn’t Asian or white enough (I’m mixed ethnicity). So, I decided to write a show about suicide prevention and how I took my journey from self-loathing to self-love. It turned out to be semi-autobiographical.

The show, on a personal level, means to me that I have come to a place where I am OK with my story, with my history. I don’t need to hide it or apologize for it, it’s out here for anyone to see. And I’m rock solid about it. It’s my proof of my growth and my self-acceptance and self-confidence.

Why did you choose to build the show around a character and what does Pan represent?
I typically choose to build my shows around characters because I like telling narratives. Stories centered on characters who have a major struggle and overcome it in unique and powerful ways. Pan represents a part of me and, I hope, a part of each member of the audience who have struggled with issues around self-loathing, self-rejection, self-deception. Pan is kind of my Everyperson — there’s a part of Pan that each of us can relate to, hopefully. Pan represents the very firm belief I hold that we can all be whole, autonomous, healthy and happy.

One of the themes the show tackles is suicidal ideation — do you think that if the taboo around this topic was reduced, young people would be able to cathartically release these darker feelings without resorting to drastic action?
YES! Absolutely YES. That’s what I’m trying to do. Make the subject of suicide less taboo, less heavy. Trying to make it so that we can all talk about it more easily. There’s a point in the show when I say, “If more of us talked about it, fewer of us would attempt it and then there’d be more of us around to talk about it and then even fewer of us would attempt it until there’d be so many of us talking about it NO ONE WOULD ATTEMPT IT.” That part usually gets smiles and nods. I ask the audience how many would be willing to talk to someone who was suicidal about their suicidality. 100 percent so far.

Have you had any young people come up to you on the tour and talk about their experiences or how the show positively impacted them?
Yes, many. One came up to me and told me that the show convinced them to start therapy and they thanked me for showing them how beneficial it could be. One came up and told me that they had no idea anyone else had their story and thank you for showing them something that resonated with them. One came up and said, “They say if you reach one person and positively influence them, you’ve done your job.” Then that youth held out their hand and said “I am that one person.” One youth has been talking to me on Facebook regularly since I performed at their youth group. Confiding in me, getting support. Quite a number of youths have asked me about that journey from having a bully in my head to getting rid of it and we’ve discussed that and they’ve told me it was illuminating. One youth said that they felt bolstered by the show that now they know that they are enough just the way they are with no changes necessary.

What does it mean to be “enough?”
Being enough equals self acceptance. I am how I am and that is all I need to be. I don’t need to be more than I am and I don’t need to be less than I am. I am enough. For instance say someone feels that they’re overweight, well, if they know they’re enough, then they can accept their size, whatever it is, and live from that self-acceptance. If someone is getting B’s in school – being enough means that they accept that that’s where they are, they don’t beat themselves up about it. Being enough does NOT mean that a person can’t choose, with intention, to change themselves. The overweight person can choose to put on more weight or lose weight, intentionally, for themselves, out of self-love. All the while knowing that they are enough — all along the way.

See Pandora Scooter on her tour and help her bring it to more cities on gofundme.

Francesca Lewis is a queer feminist writer from Yorkshire, UK. She writes for Curve Magazine and The Human Experience as well as writing short fiction and working on a novel. Her ardent love of American pop culture is matched only by her passion for analyzing it completely to death.

The post I AM ENOUGH: Talking Suicide and Self-Acceptance first appeared on Lesbian.com.

It’s been quiet on the western front here in California, though mostly pleasant. After I fixed the broken water line that sprayed the front of my house all night, I got to work on my taxes. Yep, annoyances included, everything was life as usual for me until I read about the suicide of a north county San Diego transgender youth named Sage.

I learned of Sage’s death on Facebook. The family asked for privacy, which I understand. I hope they felt the outpouring of support and love from our community expressed in the accompanying comments. I couldn’t leave a comment, but my moment of silence is over. Here it is, a mere two months after the well-publicized death of Leelah Alcorn, and I have to wonder if the people who need help are listening.

As much as I wish this was an exception, Sage is not alone. The CDC website reports that around 4,600 young people between the ages of 10 and 24 take their lives each year, and a whopping 157,000 receive medical care for self-inflicted injuries. Other sites I visited reported higher figures, but we can never know the true numbers when you consider unreported attempts and those who remain undetected, suffering emotionally without visible wounds as they anguish over whether or not to end their lives — or perhaps more to the point, to end their pain.

The number of suicides among LGBT youth is higher than their straight demographic, approximately four times higher. Estimates by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center state between 30 to 40 percent of LGBT youth consider suicide. That number rises to over 40 percent for transgender youth. LGBT youth are more likely to be depressed, use illegal drugs and engage in risky behavior. As meaningful and tragic as these numbers are, accurate statistics are hard to come by as sexual orientation and gender identity may be hidden.

The accurate statistic I know is the life of a young person is gone and nothing will change that fact. A few weeks ago, I read about another young person elsewhere in the county who also committed suicide. Seeing these articles makes me feel sad for what could have been. To me, they are not just statistics. I did not know them, but I know their lives mattered.

This month marks the 35th anniversary of my sister’s suicide. I can tell you the questions surrounding her death linger to this day. It saddens me to know she was in so much pain that she took her life. To this day, I despair that she could not get to a place where she could have begun to thrive again, to be the happier person I like to remember, and when I see articles about other young people in similar situations, I feel sadness for them and their loved ones. Yes, it’s personal.

Beyond the sadness, there is hope; hope that other young people will listen to others who say “It gets better.” When you take your life, you remove all chances for that better life. You remove the chance to help others in a similar situation.

Help is available. The It Gets Better Project is a way you can help others and is a great resource if you need help. They recommend the Trans Lifeline, a transgender crisis hotline at (877) 565-8860. The Trevor Project specifically addresses LGBT youth concerns at (866)-4-U-TREVOR (866) 488-7386. You can also call the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK (8255).

If you or if someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, end your moment of silence and make the call. Lines are open 24/7. You will be directed to people who understand and can help you. Don’t delay. Your life may depend on it.

Zoe Amos brings her lesbian point of view to articles and stories on diverse topics. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter. Read her stories on Kindle and Nook. Check out her other life at www.janetfwilliams.com

The post From A to Zoe: A moment of silence on the LGBT front first appeared on Lesbian.com.