The recent teen suicides of Tyler Clementi, Blake Davis, Eddy McIntyre, Kevin Cline and several others rocked the nation. These young people felt that it was better to kill themselves than to continue living with the anti-gay bullying they were treated with almost on a daily basis. Bullying, self-doubts about sexual orientation, coming out, loneliness, loss of clear thinking, feelings of hopelessness, or worthlessness, loss of a loved one, inability to cope, severe anxiety, increased use of alcohol or drugs can all be warning signs of depression, even suicide.

The LGBT community of Miami- Dade and South Florida has an important resource to help others become more aware and perhaps prevent LGBT suicides like the recent ones the nation has seen. The LGBT Helpline and Suicide Awareness Program at Switchboard of Miami is available 24 hours, 7 days a week to help.

Unfortunately, it’s not just teenagers who are at risk at times approximately 50% of their callers have been between 35 and 59 years old — sadly forgotten, literally and figuratively, are the midaged and older adults, especially men,who, for reasons of loneliness, health or financial problems turn to suicide as a solution.

Each member of the LGBT community has a special responsibility to one another. Since many in the community are separated from their biological family, either geographically or emotionally, their de facto family becomes their friends, co-workers, neighbors or even acquaintances.

The Helpline can be reached at (305) 646-3600 anytime to speak to a counselor. At the other end of the line will be a member of The LGBT Helpline and Suicide Awareness Program to listen, to help in a crisis, to discuss the warning signs of suicide and depression or to design an action plan with information and referrals for you, a friend or family member. It’s free and completely confidential.

The LGBT Helpline and Suicide Awareness Program has been serving the Miami region for 5 years via the Switchboard of Miami, Inc. The organization’s staff and volunteers have played an important role in over 260 crisis situations with members of our LGBT community in their hour of need and have provided information and referrals to more than 400 additional more individuals, their friends and families.