Anti-bullying crisis and peer support line

ReachOut USA will be adding a national program to help stop the needless loss of life and torment of millions students who sometime feel they have no one to turn to, not even the very school officials that are there to protect them. 

We will be building a nationwide anti-bullying crisis and peer support line for LGBT and/or disabled students. 

The rate of bullying and suicide among students with disabilities, of all types, is mainly anecdotal, and there have only been studies done on students with development disabilities. From advocates “in the field”, the rate is increasing yearly, not just of bullying, but attempted and completed suicides. Considering too, that 1 out of 5 people who are LGBT may also have a disability, they have higher risk of being tormented into not returning to school, low self esteem, or taking their life.

The idea behind the need for the anti-bullying crisis and peer support line is very solid. We will need a location for it plus volunteers or staff. We will need sponsors and grant money for it, and I know that having an organization that are already trained in crisis support involved is essential, but there are also other aspects. Some people are not in suicide crisis, but need someone to talk to who has experience the same thing, and resources for help in their area. Plus we need to pull in organizations from both Communities to form specified trainings or curriculums for schools on how to respond to bullying to students that are LGBT and/or disabled. We will also need to find an organization to train the LGBT organizations on disability aspects and the IL Philosophy so they a frame of reference and understanding when disabled students call in. The peer support aspect will also help foster a mentoring program for LGBT disabled students, as there is not one in existence currently. The Safe Schools Coalition in Seattle is willing to bring in trainers to teach any volunteers or staff how to be intervention specialists when I get the anti-bullying program going and will partner with me. 

Please Stay tuned for further information as we start a plan of action. I want to have everything in place by the end of July to start training staff so they are ready for the school year.