The Trevor Project Honored by the American Association of Suicidology

National suicide prevention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth received Crisis Center Excellence Award

LOS ANGELES, April 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Trevor Project, the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, was presented with the Crisis Center Excellence Award from the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) yesterday at the 43rd Annual AAS Conference in Orlando.

The Crisis Center Excellence Award is presented to one organization each year to recognize outstanding service in the face of extraordinary circumstances, or for service to the community through an innovative and creative program. The Trevor Project was nominated for innovative programming and providing services to an under-served and at-risk population: LGBTQ youth. The organization received a plaque and $500 check at the conference yesterday, and an upcoming column will recognize The Trevor Project in "Newslink," the official newsletter of AAS.

The recipient of the Crisis Center Excellence Award must be accredited by AAS as an exemplary crisis and suicide prevention program performing according to nationally-recognized standards. To date, The Trevor Project is the only crisis and suicide prevention service delivery program specifically serving the LGBTQ community to be accredited by AAS. The organization achieved accreditation in Nov. 2008.

"It is an incredible honor for The Trevor Project to receive the Crisis Center Excellence Award from AAS because it validates that we are providing LGBTQ youth with the kind of innovative and effective crisis and suicide prevention programs that they need," said Phoenix Schneider, M.S.W., program director, The Trevor Project. "We dedicate this award to our hundreds of heroic volunteers who answer calls on the helpline, conduct school workshops and advocate on behalf of LGBTQ youth each day."

Suicide is one of the top three causes of death among 15 to 24-year-olds. In addition, LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers and up to nine times more likely to do so if they come from a rejecting family. "Suicide, especially among high-risk populations such as LGBTQ youth, is a public health crisis," said Schneider. "But we are headed in the right direction to prevent this epidemic from spreading by saving lives, building supportive communities and advocating for a more accepting national culture."

About The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential helpline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. The organization was founded in 1998 by three filmmakers whose film, "Trevor," a comedy/drama about a gay teenager who attempts suicide, received the 1994 Academy Award® for Best Short Film (Live Action). For more information, visit TheTrevorProject.org.

SOURCE The Trevor Project