Last year we partnered with The Trevor Project – a leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.

A public health crisis like the coronavirus can cause uncertainty and stress for people of all ages and identities. For LGBTQ young people who are already at greater risk of anxiety, depression, and negative health outcomes, the coronavirus can exacerbate the challenges they already face. The social distancing and isolation necessary to stop the spread of the virus can also increase the feelings of loneliness and need for support that so many LGBTQ youth experience.

At times like this it is more important than ever to ensure The Trevor Project’s life-saving services are available 24/7.

That’s why the team at The Trevor Project worked around the clock over the past few weeks to ensure that all of their programs — especially phone, text, and chat crisis services — could continue providing services uninterrupted. Last week, after 22 years of phone Lifeline operating from physical call centers, Lifeline counselors began taking calls from their homes for the first time ever. This shift required significant investment and innovation from across the organization, especially their technology, crisis services, and operations teams. All physical offices are now closed to protect the health and safety of their staff as well as to protect the broader public by preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Their life-saving programs have nonetheless continued to operate uninterrupted.

Many of the LGBTQ youth reaching out to The Trevor Project are experiencing uncertainty or anxiety. Some are worried about their health or that of their loved ones. Some are afraid of being at home for weeks on end with families that don’t accept them. And others are stressed about what it will mean to be isolated without access to in-person sources of LGBTQ-affirming support.

We want to encourage you to check in with the LGBTQ youth in your lives. If you sense they’re looking for social interaction, please tell them about TrevorSpace, a safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth. And if they feel hopeless, alone, or have thoughts of suicide, please have them call the TrevorLifeline 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386. They can also connect with trained counselors every day 24/7 by texting 678-678 or via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Help.

Thank you for continuing to support the project to connect with LGBTQ youth in this challenging time. A huge thank you to their staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to ensure programs remain available 24/7 for the LGBTQ young people who need them.

Check out the full Socksmith Pride Athletic Collection here.

Learn more about The Trevor Project here.