Our families are in crisis

Our communities, families and children are under siege. The primary definition of a “crisis” is “a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger,” and all signs point to our community being in the midst of one of the most pernicious and devistating crises over the last 30 years.

Suicide is not an empty threat

Over the past two decades, the United States has witnessed a significant escalation in mental health issues and suicide rates among teenagers. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Between 2007 and 2021, the suicide rate among individuals aged 10 to 24 surged by 62%. in 2023, 18.8% of high school students reported seriously considering suicide, 15.7% made a plan, and 8.9% attempted suicide. ​These statistics are almost exactly double for LGBTQ+ youth and are disproportionately higher for youth of color.

We need to speak up about mental health

Not talking about mental health, both as a community and within our families, will result in the preventable loss of life, including our children. Mental health issues and incidents of suicide within families have been considered taboo and are often supressed or kept hidden due to a combination of historical, cultural, social and psychological factors.