WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – To coincide with National Suicide Prevention Month, the Trevor Project announced a campaign to target wider public awareness of teen suicide and prevention. Officials say the “Talk To Me” campaign is inspired by Department of Health and Human Services research released this month. That data reports a significant impact in prevention rates for programs that encourage depressed teens to seek help.

According to statistics, suicide is the third-leading cause of death among 10 to 24-year-olds. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight counterparts, and nearly half of transgender youth have seriously contemplated suicide (one-quarter report having made an actual suicide attempt).

Officials say that September is an especially stressful month for teens starting or returning to school. The Talk To Me project was set up to provide encouragement to depressed teens, via persons who pledge to provide support to someone who may be contemplating suicide.

The Trevor Project—founded in 1998 and now the nation’s leading organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth— established National Suicide Prevention Month, along with National Suicide Prevention Week (September 9 to 15), World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) and The Trevor Project Day (September 27), to draw attention to the national crisis of teen suicide.

The organization receives 35,000 calls annually.