LGBTQIA+
Help is available! Find easy access to mental health and suicide prevention resources by using the links provided here.
If you or someone you care about is in crisis and needs immediate help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. The phone lines are answered by trained professionals; the call is free and confidential. If you need to be connected to mental health services in Riverside County, call the CARES Line at (800) 706-7500. If emergency medical care is needed, call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. You may also call or walk into a Riverside County 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care location. Whether you are in crisis or just need someone to talk to, all services are voluntary. Counseling and nursing, as well as, psychiatric medications are available. All locations are open 24/7 and everyone is welcome regardless of insurance type or ability to pay.
- The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth and young adults, ages 13–24, over the phone, online and via text.
- Trevor Lifeline is a crisis intervention and suicide prevention phone service available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386.
- TrevorChat is a confidential online instant messaging with a Trevor Counselor, available 24/7, at trevorproject.org/get-help-now/.
- TrevorText is a confidential text messaging with a Trevor Counselor, available 24/7/365, by texting START to 678678.
- TrevorSpace is an affirming international community for LGBTQ young people ages 13-24 available at trevorspace.org
- Trevor Lifeline (24/7): (866) 488-7386
- It Gets Better Project
This website is a place where young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender can see how love and happiness can be a reality in their future. It’s a place where people can share their stories, take the It Gets Better Project pledge, watch videos of love and support and learn about resources.
- Suicide Prevention among LGBT Youth: A Workshop for Professionals Who Serve Youth
This free workshop kit is designed to help staff in schools, youth-serving organizations, and suicide prevention programs take action to reduce suicidal behavior among LGBT youth. Topics covered include suicidal behavior, risk and protective factors, strategies to reduce risk and ways to increase school or agency cultural competence.
- Family Acceptance Project
This community research, intervention, education and policy initiative works to decrease major health and related risks for LGBT youth, such as suicide, substance abuse, HIV and homelessness – in the context of their families. The site offers online videos and research-based information on how families can help support their LGBT children.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)– Mental Health Risk Factors Among GLBT Youth Fact Sheet (PDF)
This fact sheet describes mental health risk factors among LGBT youth, including coming out, family relationships and victimization by peers. It further provides information about mental health treatment for LGBT youth, and suggested resources. Additional information and helpful resources for the LGBTQ community can be found on the NAMI website.
- Suicidal Behavior Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth Fact Sheet: American Association of Suicidology (PDF)
This fact sheet provides information about suicidal behavior, risk factors, protective factors and implications for suicide prevention among LGBT youth.
- What’s Up Safehouse is a 24/7, free, anonymous mental health crisis texting line. Get immediate support from a licensed mental health professional. Dedicated to helping support the residents of Riverside County through issues surrounding anxiety, substance abuse, depression, school pressure, peer pressure, LGBTQ struggles, relational issues, suicidal thoughts, bullying, and any other issue that is causing trouble.
- Text SHHELP to 844.204.0880 24/7 for immediate support and resources.
- Q Chat Space is a bully-free online community of LGBTQ teens that can chat with other LGBTQ teens and trained staff from LGBTQ centers around the country.
- GLSEN is a national network of educators, students, and local GLSEN Chapter working to create a safe, supportive, and LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 education system.
- Welcoming Schools is a comprehensive bias-based bullying prevention program to provide LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists, and resources.
- The National SOGIE Center provides a site for accessing resources on providing culturally responsive care to children, youth, young adults with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE) and their families across systems, including child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health (including school mental health), substance use systems, and housing and homelessness.
- National Runaway Safeline is a federally designated national communication system for runaway and homeless youth, available 24/7/365, providing access to resources and listening professionals.
- Trans Lifeline Hotline is a peer support service run by trans people located all over the US and Canada, for trans and questioning callers.
- You can call Trans Lifeline Hotline at 877-565-8860
- The LGBT National Help Center offers a talkline and weekly chatrooms for youth, providing confidential peer-support, information, local resources and community.
- True Colors United has created an online COVID-19 Action & Resource center providing the most up-to-date resources for youth and adults experiencing homelessness. They include resources for folks working in the field, advocates making a difference, and young people looking for help.
- Many PFLAG chapters are meeting virtually or providing 1:1 virtual support as requested for parents/guardians or LGBTQ youth. Go to pflag.org/find to look up the PFLAG chapter in your area and reach out by phone, email or on social media to learn more about their virtual support options.
