You Are Not Alone

If you’ve ever felt like the weight of rejection, isolation, or despair is too much to bear, please know that you are not alone. Many people - especially those navigating rejection or living in environments that don’t affirm their identity - have experienced these feelings. But while those moments can feel overwhelming, they do not define your future. Help, connection, and hope are always available.

Understanding the Risks

LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those who face rejection from their families or communities, are at a significantly higher risk for mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. These risks increase when people lack support, feel isolated, or experience hostility in their environments.

Rejection from Family or Community: Feeling unloved or unaccepted by family members can intensify feelings of worthlessness or despair.

Isolation: Without a safe and affirming support network, loneliness can compound mental health struggles.

Shame or Internalized Stigma: Growing up in environments that frame your identity as “wrong” can lead to harmful self-beliefs.

Bullying or Harassment: Experiencing hostility in school, work, or community spaces can deepen feelings of hopelessness.

Signs to Watch For

If you or someone you know is struggling, these signs may indicate they’re at risk for suicide:

  • Expressing feelings of hopelessness or being a burden.
  • Talking about wanting to die or harm oneself.
  • Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed.
  • Sudden mood swings, including calmness after periods of depression (a potential sign of resolved decision-making).
  • Increased use of alcohol or drugs.

Recognizing these signs doesn’t mean you have to fix everything for yourself or someone else. It means it’s time to reach out for help.

What You Can Do

For Yourself:

Reach Out for Support: Talk to someone you trust - a friend, mentor, therapist, or hotline counselor. Even small steps toward connection can help.

Create a Safety Plan: Identify triggers, coping strategies, and emergency contacts who can support you when you’re struggling.

Practice Small Acts of Care: When big changes feel overwhelming, focus on small, grounding actions like taking a walk, journaling, or listening to music.

For Someone Else:

Listen Without Judgment: Let them share their feelings without interrupting, minimizing, or offering solutions.
"I’m here for you. Tell me what you’re feeling.”

Ask Direct Questions: It’s okay to ask, “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” Research shows this doesn’t increase the risk - it can actually save lives.

Encourage Professional Help: Offer to help them connect with a counselor, hotline, or other resources.

Resources for Immediate Help

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to one of these resources. They are trained to listen, provide support, and help you find a path forward.

United States

  • The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth): 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Canada

  • Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
  • Kids Help Phone: Text CONNECT to 686868

United Kingdom

  • Samaritans: 116 123
  • Mind (Mental Health Charity): 0300 123 3393

International

  • International Suicide Hotlines: Visit befrienders.org for a list of global resources.

A Personal Note on Suicidal Thoughts

My friend,

In your darkest moments, it’s easy to believe the pain will never end. But those feelings are temporary, and there is help available. You are not alone. There are people who want to support you, even if you haven’t met them yet. This very book is proof of that. Your life matters.

If you’re in this situation, there’s a good chance you’re someone who has already endured a lot. You’ve likely developed high resilience just to get here. Maybe you’ve survived rejection, isolation, or even outright harm, and because of that, you might feel like you can handle anything on your own.

But here’s the hard truth: resilience isn’t the same as invulnerability. Being able to survive doesn’t mean you should have to, especially not alone. And the longer you try to shoulder everything without support, the more you risk becoming the proverbial boiled frog - so accustomed to the heat rising around you that you don’t realize the danger until it’s overwhelming.

Fleeting thoughts like, “I wish I didn’t have to deal with this anymore,” can be a sign that you’re under too much strain. They don’t make you weak - they’re your mind’s way of signaling that something needs to change. But if those thoughts deepen into ones of self-harm or you find yourself imagining ways to end your pain - even just the basics - it’s time to reach out.

It’s not about whether you can handle it - it’s about whether you should. Carrying this alone isn’t a testament to your strength; it’s a disservice to the life you’re meant to live. High resilience doesn’t mean you don’t need help - it just means you’ve been carrying far too much for far too long.

If this resonates with you, please talk to someone you trust or reach out to a counselor or hotline. Even the strongest people need help sometimes, and asking for it isn’t a failure - it’s the first step toward healing. You are not alone, and you don’t have to face this alone.