Lewes author Dana Ravyn has a new novel, and she’s donating all her 2023 royalties to The Trevor Project, the
leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer, and questioning) young people.
According to Ravyn, “Suicide among LGBTQ kids is a tragic problem across the US, and Delaware is no different.”
The Trevor Project’s 2022 survey found that 49% of LGBTQ youth in Delaware seriously considered suicide and
17% attempted suicide last year. “These kids face a lot of challenges,” Ravyn said. “Last year, 65% of LGBTQ
youth in Delaware wanted mental health care but couldn’t get access or were afraid to talk about their
concerns. I want to support the volunteers who are there for youth in crisis.”
Ravyn’s second novel, The Suicide Switch, is a tale of medical research into suicide gone awry. A central
character is a doctor whose research is driven by the tragic loss of his teenage son to suicide. Once a suicide
prevention counselor herself, Ravyn says that much about LGBTQ kids’ risk is often misunderstood. “Sexual
orientation or gender identity doesn’t make LGBTQ kids inherently prone to suicide,” she says, “they are at
higher risk because they are mistreated and stigmatized, and many have inadequate mental health care.”
Through her writing, Ravyn hopes to increase awareness of at-risk youth in Delaware and around the nation. The
Suicide Switch ebook is available to read for free from the Delaware Public Libraries and it can be found in print
at all major distributors.
About The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project provides free, accessible, 24/7 crisis counseling services via phone (TrevorLifeline), instant
messenger (TrevorChat), and text (TrevorText) to LGBTQ young people. The Trevor Project is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization and does not endorse products or services.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available
24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.