What Is EVOLVE? 

YouthPride developed the Evolve! program in order to address the growing problem of suicide among LGBTQ teenagers and young adults. The program provides therapeutic services to youth in crisis while also working to increase community awareness of mental health issues, depression and suicide for "at risk" youth and young adults in Metro Atlanta. 

EVOLVE! expanded its services in 2008 by offering YouthPride members free individual, couples, and group counseling in a non-judgmental and confidential environment. Counseling is provided on site by licensed practitioners or a counseling intern. We also provide counseling or referrals to YP members' families and offer workshops to the public.

Warning Signs of Suicide

There are several warning signs of suicide that are particularly associated with a higher Emergency Risk level, these include:

• Having a Plan for Suicide and the Means to Carry it Out – This is the first, and likely the most important warning sign. A detailed plan involves the questions of when, where, and how do they plan to complete a suicide. Accessibility to the tools necessary to complete this plan—to carry it out—is the second half of this very important portion of the risk assessment.
• Expressing Suicidal Feelings – Directly, “I want to die,” “I just want to kill myself,” or indirectly, “Sometimes I thing I would be better off dead,” “Nothing seems worthwhile anymore,” “Nobody will miss me anyway.”
• Making Final Arrangements – Giving away prized possessions, writing a will, making arrangements for someone to take care of their pets, returning things that they have borrowed. Although research is not clear that these behaviors indicate an imminent suicide attempt, it is reasonable to assume that having done these things reflects a greater potential for suicidal action.
• Signs of Depression – Loss of pleasure, sad mood, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, feelings of hopelessness, expressing a lot of guilt.
• Change in Regular Behavior – Does not care about schoolwork, starts failing tests, disinterested in personal hygiene, change in sleeping patterns.
• Alcohol or Drug Use Increases
• Increased Isolation – From family and friends.
• History of Suicide in the Family

 

LGBTQ Youth Specific

Suicide Risk Factors

Though it may be obvious to most of us, we should also point out that sexual orientation and gender identity alone are not risk factors for suicide.

 However, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth face many social factors that put them at higher risk for self-destructive behaviors, including suicide. Some LGBT Youth Specific Risk Factors include:

• Gender Non-conformity – Not following society’s traditional gender roles. For example: the young lesbian involved in softball instead of cheerleading and gay boy that is in drama club instead of playing football.
• Coming Out Issues – Will I lose my current friends? Will my family turn me out? Am I doomed to get AIDS because I’m gay? I’ll be alone for the rest of my life and similar worries.
• Rejection when Coming Out – Loss of one’s support system due to rejection by friends, family, community, etc.
• Coming Out at a Young Age - Increased likelihood of rejection by friends and family, less maturity to handle rejection and abuse.
• Gay Related Victimization – Rejection and isolation, verbal harassment, physical/sexual assault, property damage.
• Developmental Stressors – Lack of role models, lack of access to community structures and support systems commonly found in heterosexual community. Can not openly date same-sex romantic partner/take them to the school dance; can not walk down the hall or street holding hands; lack of support from family for same-sex romantic partner.

NEED TO TALK?

 Youth & young adults (13- 24 years of age), can call us at (404) 521-9711 or email us at letstalk.

HELP SUPPORT YOUTHPRIDE'S

EVOLVE PROGRAM

Make an online donation to support EVOLVE