You Are Not Alone: Suicide Prevention Month 2025
A message of love, hope, and support for our Lancaster LGBTQ+ community
September is Suicide Prevention Month - a time when we come together to shine light into the places where pain and silence often live. For us at Lancaster Pride, this month is more than a campaign. It’s a reminder that every single person in our community is worthy of love, safety, and belonging.
Suicide touches far too many lives in the United States. It is one of the leading causes of death nationwide, and for LGBTQ+ people, especially young people, the risk is even higher. According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey, 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year - including 46% of transgender and nonbinary young people. Those numbers are staggering, but they don’t tell the whole story. Behind every statistic is a name, a face, a heart that deserves to keep beating.
Why are LGBTQ+ youth more vulnerable? It often comes down to the environments they’re in. Family rejection, bullying, discrimination, and lack of affirming spaces can create enormous pressure and despair. But research also shows something powerful: when LGBTQ+ young people are surrounded by affirmation - when their pronouns are respected, when they see role models, when they feel safe at home and school - their risk of attempting suicide drops significantly.
Acceptance saves lives.
Chalk Wall at Lancaster Pride Festival 2025
“LGBTQ+ young people who reported living in very accepting communities attempted suicide at less than half the rate of those who reported living in very unaccepting communities.”
This is why Suicide Prevention Awareness Month matters so much. It’s a reminder that every one of us has a role to play. Listening without judgment, checking in on friends, creating inclusive spaces, and speaking up against stigma can all make a difference. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply remind someone that they’re not alone.
If you or someone you love is struggling, support is available.
National & Online Support
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
The Trevor Project also offers round-the-clock crisis services specifically for LGBTQ+ youth at 1-866-488-7386 or via online chat with trained crisis counselors.
Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is “a peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers.”
The LGBT National Help Center offers multiple hotlines:
LGBT National Hotline - Providing confidential peer support, information, and local & national resources for callers of all ages.
LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline - Providing a safe space to discuss concerns and questions regarding coming out for all ages.
LGBT National Youth Talkline - Providing confidential peer support, information, and local & national resources for callers ages 25 and younger.
LGBT National Senior Hotline - Providing confidential peer support, information, and local & national resources for callers ages 50 and above.
The Human Rights Campaign maintains a list of Mental Health Resources in the LGBTQ Community, including a variety of hotlines for the LGBTQ+ community.
PFLAG provides a similar list of hotlines on their website, plus they offer support through virtual meetings and local chapters around the country.
It Gets Better is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe.
LGBTQ and ALL is an inclusive community and business directory for all folks coping with mental health struggles.
Local Support
Here in South Central PA, you can also turn to local mental health providers and groups** that offer LGBTQ+-affirming care and community.
The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center (Allentown) hosts a number of different community discussion and social support groups both in-person and virtually.
The LGBT Center (Harrisburg) offers programs, resources, and support for the local LGBTQ+ community.
Sanctuary Counseling provides LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy online and in their Douglassville, Audubon, and Lancaster offices.
Lancaster County Chooses Love hosts a variety of support groups and safe space events for members of the LGBTQ+ community to connect with each other.
Alder Health Services (Harrisburg) offers gender-affirming health care and services “tailored to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and those who have been underserved by the healthcare system in our community.”
The Touchstone Foundation is dedicated to youth mental health access across Lancaster County. One of the ways that they do this is through their Mental Health Access Assistance program.
This September, let’s recommit to compassion - for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for our neighbors. Each of us has the power to make a difference simply by showing up, listening, and offering kindness. Affirmation saves lives. Community saves lives. And together, we can help ensure that no one in Lancaster, or anywhere, has to walk through darkness alone.
If you’re struggling: please know there is help, there is hope, and there are people who care about you.
You matter, today and always.
**This list may not be comprehensive, but we’ve done our best to highlight local organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community with mental health and affirming care. If you know of an organization that you think should be added to the list, please reach out to us at [email protected] with information. Thank you!
