Ridgefield CT Pride Urges Visibility And Support During National Suicide Prevention Week

RIDGEFIELD, CT — If you're strolling through Ridgefield scratching your head about the reemergence of Pride signs on lawns everywhere, don't worry. June has not come early.

Ridgefield CT Pride is calling on residents to show visible support for LGBTQ youth during National Suicide Prevention Week, which runs Sept. 7–13, with a campaign aimed at raising awareness about suicide risk and mental health resources.

Chair Alisa Trachtenberg said the initiative centers on a simple, symbolic gesture: putting out “Celebrate Pride” lawn signs or flags. “Visibility saves lives,” she said. “Even one supportive adult can make an enormous difference in the life of an LGBTQ young person.”

The Ridgefield-based advocacy group has distributed hundreds of Pride signs since its founding in 2019. For Suicide Prevention Week, Trachtenberg is urging residents to put them back out — or request one through the group’s website.

LGBTQ Youth At Higher Risk

Research consistently shows that LGBTQ youth face a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts compared with their peers. A 2024 national survey by The Trevor Project found that 39 percent of LGBTQ young people seriously considered suicide in the past year, including 46 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth. About 12 percent reported attempting suicide.

The findings are echoed by national mental health organizations. The American Association of Suicidology notes that suicide remains the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., with young people and marginalized groups at particular risk.

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) stresses that talking openly about suicide, asking direct questions, and connecting individuals to professional help can save lives. “Asking someone if they are thinking about suicide will not put the idea in their head,” the agency’s prevention toolkit explains. “It shows you take them seriously.”

Importance Of Visible Support

Trachtenberg cited data from The Trevor Project showing that LGBTQ youth with at least one accepting adult in their life are 40 percent less likely to attempt suicide. “That’s why visibility matters so much,” she said. “When kids see a Pride flag or a sign in town, it sends the message: you belong here, you matter.”

The campaign comes at a time of heightened concern about access to LGBTQ-affirming mental health resources. Federal funding cuts recently ended specialized LGBTQ services on the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, including a text option for young people seeking trained counselors.

Resources Available

Despite reduced federal services, a range of crisis hotlines remain available:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 to connect with trained counselors.
• Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741 for immediate support.
• The Trevor Project — LGBTQ youth can call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678; resources are online here.
• Kids in Crisis (CT) — Offers a 24-hour helpline at 203-661-1911 and an LGBTQ peer program called Lighthouse.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also provides educational materials, including warning signs of suicide at its website.

A Call To Ridgefield

Trachtenberg hopes Ridgefield residents will take part in the campaign not just for one week, but year-round. “Suicide prevention isn’t a one-off,” she said. “We’d love people to keep their signs up all year, to show that this community is supportive every day.”

In addition to the Suicide Prevention Week campaign, Ridgefield CT Pride is planning programs including a November “Senior Voices” panel with the town’s Commission on Aging, an LGBTQ art project with Queen Bee, and its annual Pride in the Park festival in June 2026.

For now, Trachtenberg says the message is simple. “Put out your sign, wave your flag, and let someone know they are seen. That visibility could be the support they need to choose hope.”

If You Are Worried About Someone

(Adapted from SAMHSA and NAMI resources)

Warning Signs Of Suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die or kill oneself
• Expressing hopelessness or having no reason to live
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or community
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Extreme mood swings or sudden changes in behavior
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Giving away possessions or saying goodbye

Steps To Help Someone In Crisis:

• Ask directly. It is okay to say, “Are you thinking about suicide?”
• Listen without judgment. Allow them to share feelings openly.
• Encourage professional help. Offer to call or accompany them to a counselor or doctor.
• Remove potential dangers. If possible, limit access to firearms, medications, or other means.
• Don’t keep it secret. If someone’s life is at risk, seek help immediately even if asked not to tell.
• Stay connected. Follow up with them after the crisis to show ongoing support.

For immediate help, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.