#105 | Why Silence Is Deadly: What Allies Must Do NOW to Protect LGBTQ Youth from Suicide
Content warning: This episodes discusses the important issue of teen suicide and its' prevention.
What if we told you that a staggering 41% of LGBTQ+ youth have considered suicide in the past year? Yes, you heard it right. That's the chilling reality we tackle on this episode of Just Breathe, where we engage in a deeply important conversation about suicide prevention. Our guest, AnneMoss Rogers, is a mental health and suicide education expert, who bravely shares her personal journey and the valuable lessons she learned from her family's tragic experience with suicide.
Woven into our discussion is the heart-rending story of a mother who battled her son's mental health issues and substance misuse. We navigate through the complexities of his diagnosis of major depression, ADHD, anxiety, and substance use to mask his feelings of suicide. The moment she learnt about her son's death underscored the urgent need for suicide prevention efforts.
In the latter part of the episode, we commit to addressing adolescent suicidal risk, shedding light on the signs to watch out for and how parents can provide support. We share practical tips from creating a crisis response plan to fostering open conversations about suicide and empowering your children with coping mechanisms. As we wrap up, we want to remind you that you are not alone and that help is always available. Let's join hands to raise awareness, demonstrate compassion and save lives.
About our Guest:
AnneMoss Rogers is a mental health and suicide education expert, professional speaker, trainer, and consultant. After her 20-year-old son, Charles died by suicide in 2015, AnneMoss chronicled her family’s tragedy in a newspaper article that went viral, and her blog, Emotionally Naked, has reached millions. She is the author of the award-winning memoir, Diary of a Broken Mind and the best seller, Emotionally Naked: A Teacher’s Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk with co-writer Dr. Kimberly O’Brien.
She has been a TEDx speaker, was featured in the New York Times, Variety Magazine, and was the first non-clinician invited to speak on youth suicide at the National Institute of Mental Health. A UNC-Chapel Hill alumna, Anne Moss currently lives in Richmond, VA. Her surviving son is a filmmaker in LA.
Website: https://mentalhealthawarenesseducation.com/
Emotionally Naked© blog: http://emotionallynaked.com
AnneMoss’ TEDx – Can a Blog Save Lives?
AnneMoss’ books and free e-book library: https://mentalhealthawarenesseducation.com/mental-health-books/#free_mentalhealth_ebooks
Hotlines:
· TrevorSpace Discussion Board for LGBTQ+ peer support
· Canada 1-833-456-4566
· United Kingdom 116 123
· Australia 13 11 14
· International suicide hotlines
· USA Suicide Hotline 988
· Crisis text line US/ Canada. 741-741
· USA Crisis line for LGBTQ Youth 1-866-488-7386
· USA Crisis text line LGBTQ Youth 678-678
· TransLifeLine 1-877-565-8860
Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!
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At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection.
If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action.
Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in—I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey.
Takeaways:
- The mental health of LGBTQ youth is deeply affected by societal misunderstanding and negative messaging.
- Parents must actively listen and create a safe space for open conversations about mental health.
- Suicidal ideation in youth can fluctuate, and asking direct questions can provide relief.
- Recognizing signs of isolation and self-deprecating remarks in teens is crucial for prevention.
- Creating a personalized crisis response plan can empower youth to manage their mental health.
- Advocacy for LGBTQ youth requires patience, understanding, and appealing to shared humanity in discussions.
Links referenced in this episode:
More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen explores connection, courage, and community for every concerned parent, mom, or ally navigating fear, grief, and bigotry with hope, resilience, and empathy. Through open-minded education, inclusive parenting guidance, and advocacy for mental health, safety, and a human first approach, we support LGBTQ youth and stand for human rights and social justice. More Human. More Kind. empowers listeners to shift their mindset, embrace activism and allyship, and lead with kindness, healing, and purpose.
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