Join The WNET Group, the public media company for the New York City area, as we bring together students, educators, journalists, and experts to discuss pressing mental health issues for LGBTQ+ youth. This event will focus on how to create and maintain safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, allyship for all ages, and resources for how to support LGBTQ+ youth mental health.

The event will kick off with an introduction from special guest, Billy Porter, who will welcome attendees to the event.

Following the introductory clip, the event will transition into a panel with mental health experts: Lizzie McAdams, RDT/BCT, LCAT, Director, Counseling and Case Management at the Hetrick-Martin Institute; Eric Vaughan, former Associate Director of LGBTQ Programs and Policy at the New York City Department of Education; Chris Bright, Director of Public Training at The Trevor Project; and Dustin Liu, Founder of gatherED studio. The discussion will be moderated by Jenna Flanagan, Correspondent and Anchor at MetroFocus and WLIW.

The panel will discuss important topics around mental health and LGBTQ+ youth. As many young people begin to explore their identity in adolescence, youth who identify as LGBTQ+ may often experience unique challenges with mental health. This can stem from feeling a lack of acceptance in their community or a sense of isolation from their peers, creating an increased rate of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts among LGBTQ+ youth. The panel will discuss how attendees can be strong allies for young people in the LGBTQ+ community, and create safe spaces for them to build trust and have open conversations about mental health.

Concluding the event will be a special performance by the cast of Trevor: A New Musical, a new musical production telling the story of a young gay teen and his journey to explore and embrace his identity. The musical is based on the 1994 short film Trevor, which won numerous awards and is the basis of inspiration for the launch of The Trevor Project, a 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

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