Hope in Every Step: Building a Future for LGBTQIA+ Youth

By Melinda Wong, 

Safe Pathways Program Coordinator

VNS Health 

Bronx Voice 

June 10, 2025

NEW YORK - PRIDE Month is a time to break down barriers and celebrate the unique qualities that make each person special and one-of-a-kind, regardless of their sexual or gender identity. But for many LGBTQIA+ youth, this celebration can feel out of reach. 

Discrimination, bullying, family rejection, and limited access to care still prevent many young people from living with authenticity—and, yes, PRIDE. The impact is profound: LGBTQIA+ youth have significantly higher rates of attempted suicide compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. In New York City alone, the Department of Health found that 32% of youth who have been bullied due to their identity have attempted suicide.

These statistics are painfully sobering, and no young person should have to carry this burden alone. Fortunately, support is available. For more and more young New Yorkers and their families, the Safe Pathways program from community health nonprofit VNS Health has become a true beacon of hope. 

The Safe Pathways program provides direct services to New York City residents aged 10 to 24 identified as being at risk of suicide, with a particular focus on people of color and LGBTQIA+ youth. As Emma Adler, a youth peer advocate with Safe Pathways, explains, “Young people often feel invisible. It’s powerful for them to connect with someone with shared experience who understands—someone who can say, ‘I’ve been there too.’” 

Emma works one-on-one with youth who are at risk or experiencing suicidal ideation, to validate their feelings, share her own experiences, and show them that healing is possible. Whether their issues involve suicidal thoughts, depression, or anxiety, peer specialists and youth advocates like Emma are there to tell them, as she puts it, “You're not alone. I know in my own way what it's like to feel, think, and live these things, and the coping skills we're practicing together are ones I've found helpful on my own path to wellness and healing."

In many cases, traditional support systems may be absent—especially for transgender youth or those whose families hold stigmatizing beliefs. That’s why creating safe, affirming spaces for these young people is essential. An accepting environment helps them build coping skills, find community, and embrace their identities on their own terms.

“It’s okay to feel alone sometimes,” says Estela Lopez, a Behavioral Health Counselor with the program. “But connection is a basic human need. Everyone needs and deserves support.” 

Estela emphasizes that community can be found in many places—not just identity-based groups, but also through shared interests like running clubs or art classes. These spaces offer acceptance and help youth explore who they are and who they want to become.

In addition to direct support for youth—including workshops, counseling, on-call services, and mental health apps—Safe Pathways also partners with families, educators, mentors, and community organizations to create a broader network of care.

For families and friends, even those who are supportive, knowing the best way to help a loved one can be challenging. “Even if it’s scary, it’s important to check in and offer help in whatever way you can to youth who are struggling,” says Emma. “When you know what brings them joy, remind them of those things.” 

Estela adds that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health—it’s about meeting each person where they are and making them feel safe and seen. With easy-to-use tools like our SHARPEN app, youth, as well as parents, teachers, mentors and others in a young person’s life, can access guidance and resources for understanding and supporting youth who are struggling.   

With the right support, young people can discover a resilience they didn’t know they had. Courage sometimes means being open to trying activities outside of your comfort zone, and working to find the help you need—something we see often with the young people we serve. 

Estela notes that once clients take the first step and join Safe Pathways, they become deeply committed to healing, building connections, and using the resources available to them. 

Most importantly, programs like Safe Pathways—and the many organizations in our coalition—are here to walk alongside young people every step of the way. As Emma puts it, “Just by showing up, we let them know there are people out there who not only accept them, but will fight for their right to be who they truly are.”

For more information on Safe Pathways, call 718-840-4899. To learn about Behavioral Health programs and services from VNS Health, go to vnshealth.org.