• by Danielle Oster , September 3, 2025

Across the U.S., LGBTQ+ young people, and trans youth in particular, are facing extreme challenges that affect their mental health.

Youth suicide prevention and mental health crisis intervention nonprofit The Trevor Project estimates that over 1.8 million young people aged 13-24 in the U.S. seriously consider suicide each year, with at least one suicide attempt among the group every 45 seconds.

A new short film from the nonprofit tells the story of Haylin, and how her path to  advocacy for her 17-year-old trans son, Mat, led her to found a nonprofit youth mental health clinic called Spill The Tea Café.

It’s not a story of instant acceptance, though, and doesn’t shy away from her challenges when Mat first came out as trans. But Haylin eventually grew into a fierce advocate for him, confronting difficult conversations with family, friends, and community on his behalf.

The film ends by noting that LGBTQIA+ youth are at greater risk of suicide not because of their identities, but because of cultural and societal stigma.

A supportive home environment can make a world of difference when it comes to helping LGBTQIA+ youth deal with that stigma.

The Trevor Project Senior Director of Marketing and Content Nolan Scott told Marketing Daily that having just one accepting adult in their lives directly correlates with better outcomes for LGBTQIA+ youth. “Parents, families, and guardians are one of the biggest protective factors to reduce risk,” he said. .

Haylin and Mat’s story is the latest in The Trevor Project’s “Learn With Love” campaign, which launched around three years ago.

“Learn With Love” aims for a different audience than campaigns to drive donations or encourage specific political actions, Scott said. There’s  a particular focus on the “movable middle who have open minds and an earnest desire to learn — who are asking questions, but are unsure.”

That’s reflected in stories offering a look back at the difficult moments ultimately leading to acceptance, support, and advocacy. “Learn With Love” shows the messiness of that process.

In addition to the full video running on YouTube, the campaign is running across Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat, and across CTV platforms including Discovery+, Disney+, HBO Max,  NBC, Peacock, and Paramount.