We live in the “digital era” where “unlimited texting” outweighs “talk time” by a mile. I remember what it was like back in the dark days when I had to remember phone numbers and use a land-line phone. Now, if you aren’t connected to me by text, Gchat, or Facebook you might as well not exist.
Digital communication has it’s flaws, but the positive side is the amount of connections at our fingertips. Without the Internet, and without our cell phones I would feel completely isolated any time I was alone or not in my home. When you are a young person coming into your gender or sexual identity the last thing you should be feeling is isolated and alone. For the first time in history young people can connect with others like them around the globe, even if their homes or communities are non-accepting.
For National Suicide Prevention Week, The Trevor Project is launching “Talk To Me.” They are asking everyone to identify themselves as someone people can go to if they need to talk.
Youth across America will be creating “Talk To Me” t-shirts, and adding the “Talk To Me” badges to their social networks so that anyone “I.R.L.” or online will know that they can go to them to talk if they need to.
Please take some time today to take the pledge and add the badge to your Facebook or Twitter profile. Last year and continuing around the globe today tragic deaths are happening because people feel helpless or hopeless. For National Suicide Prevention Week make an extra effort to reach out to friends who may be going through a rough time. It could be that simple to help someone who is in crisis.
