Kevin McHale, who plays Artie Abrams on
the Fox musical-comedy Glee, is reaching out to troubled gay
teens.
The 23-year-old actor stars in a public
service announcement (PSA) for The Trevor Project. The group's Talk
To Me campaign coincides with National Prevention Week, September
4-10.
“Talk to me, it's what you say to
someone to let them know you're there,” McHale says in the
60-second video. “Just three simple words. But saying them out
loud could help save a life.” (The video is embedded in the right
panel of this page.)
California-based The Trevor Project
focuses on crisis and suicide prevention efforts for gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. The non-profit's Lifeline is
the nation's only 24-hour, toll-free confidential suicide prevention
hotline for gay and questioning young people.
Last week, Executive Director David L.
McFarland and Founder James C. Lecesne were honored
for their work during a ceremony at the White House. Other
suicide prevention groups, including the Gay, Lesbian & Straight
Education Network (GLSEN), were also recognized.
Other Glee co-stars involved in
The Trevor Project include Darren Criss, who
performed last year at the group's annual Trevor LIVE fundraiser.
Chris Colfer, who
dedicated his Golden Globe win to bullied gay teens, and Max
Adler have recorded It Gets Better videos urging troubled gay
teens considering suicide to hang in there, because life gets better.