Episode 72

The Trevor Project and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ People

With September being suicide prevention month, it was imperative to have Kevin Wong on the podcast today. Kevin is the Vice President of Communications for the Trevor Project, and he shares with us all the amazing resources the Trevor Project has for LGBTQ youth and their parents. There are many stigmas when it comes to talking about suicide and Kevin and the team at the Trevor Project are bringing awareness, advocacy, and safe places for LGBTQ youth to have these conversations. Join Heather and Kevin as they discuss the importance of the Trevor Project and supporting children in the LGBTQ community.

 

Do not miss these highlights:

01:50 – A little about Kevin

03:58 – Who the Trevor Project is

08:46 – How to get this information to our children

11:23 – Moderators on the site

12:45 – Resources for questions and support children can get on the Trevor project site

14:55 – The Trevor Project & advocacy work  

18:33 – How to be an advocate

21:47 – What signs parents can look for in their kids, that may show they want to come out or are struggling

23:33 – The acronym C.A.R.E for helping a kid in a moment of crisis

27:32 – The stigma of these topics

30:40 – How to receive your child when they come out

 

Work with Heather:

Solutions listed on her website: https://chrysalismama.com

For the Language of LGBTQIA+ E-book, visit: https://learnwith.chrysalismama.com/book  

Digital Coming Out Course for Parents - Text Ally to 55444 to get Heather's "My kid just came out and I'm freaking out!" Toolkit!

About our guest:

Kevin Wong (he/him) is the Vice President of Communications for The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ young people. He oversees the organization’s communications strategy, including media relations, celebrity engagement, internal and executive communications, speaking engagements and awards, crisis communications, and more. 

 

Kevin works closely with The Trevor Project’s marketing and creative teams to develop 360-degree campaigns that promote the organization’s crisis services, resources, partnerships and innovations, as well as its research, education, and advocacy initiatives. He leads a team of 12 that PR Daily recently awarded as Communications Team of the Year.

 

How to learn more:

www.trevorspace.org

www.trevorproject.org

 

About the Podcast

Show artwork for Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen
Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen
With Host Heather Hester

About your host

Profile picture for Heather Hester

Heather Hester

Heather Hester is the founder of Chrysalis Mama which provides support and education to parents and allies of LGBTQIA adolescents, teenagers, and young adults. She is also the creator/host of the Top 1% podcast Just Breathe: Parenting your LGBTQ Teen. As an advocate and coach, she believes the coming out process is equal parts beautiful and messy. She works with her clients to let go of fear and feelings of isolation so that they can reconnect with themselves and their children with awareness and compassion. Heather also works within organizations via specialized programming to bring education and empowerment with a human touch. She is delighted to announce that her first book is out in the world as of May 2024 - Parenting with Pride: Unlearn Bias and Embrace, Empower, and Love Your LGBTQ+ Teen. Married to the funniest guy she’s ever known and the mother of four extraordinary kids (two of whom are LGBTQ) and one sassy mini bernedoodle, Heather believes in being authentic and embracing the messiness. You can almost always find her with a cup coffee nearby whether she’s at her computer, on her yoga mat, or listening to her favorite music.