"More than words," the short film that seeks to open a dialogue to prevent suicide in the LGBTQ+ population.

Suicide is a rarely discussed public health issue. It is taking an increasing number of lives in our society, as revealed by the Trevor Project's 2024 LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health Survey, where more than half of respondents—53% of LGBT youth—considered suicide.

This represents more than half of the population, and their reasons vary: 4 out of 5 say their attempt is related to family rejection, violence, or discrimination; 3 out of 5 report problems at school stemming from discrimination; and after a suicide attempt, 58% reported not having told anyone about it. Of those detected, only 16% sought therapy; only 15% received support from close friends; 11% received psychiatric care; and 10% reported being ignored by authorities when sharing their story.

“In Mexico, we talk very little about these issues; there is very little visibility and information, despite the fact that it happens every day,” says Rodrigo Moheno, president of the Mexican Federation of Sexual Education and Sexology (FEMESS), who, in the framework of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Lesbophobia and Biphobia, which is on May 17, presented the short film “More than Words,” which seeks to open a necessary dialogue on suicide prevention.

Sharing further data, Moheno said that according to INEGI data (ENDISEG 2021), 28.7% of LGBTQI+ people aged 15 and over have experienced suicidal thoughts or attempts at some point in their lives; the causes include family and relationship problems (57.2%), problems at school (20.3%), health problems (9.1%), financial problems (16.6%), problems due to their sexual orientation or gender identity (14.0%), and work problems (7.0%).

"These numbers go beyond statistics. These are people with names and surnames, with mothers and fathers. That's why they underscore the importance of creating safe and supportive places, as well as the need for effective suicide prevention strategies, to find timely support, and address these circumstances specifically," he said.

About the documentary

Moheno explains that this documentary invites us to reflect on the real stories behind the statistics, "people who deserve to live, receive support and understanding, and a more inclusive world. With this campaign, we seek to give voice and provide tools and life resources to those who need them and generate deep reflection in our homes about what we can do."

Relevant institutions such as El Armario Abierto, Gilead Sciences México, the United Nations Population Fund, the World Association for Sexual Health, Catatonia, Grey, Fundación México Vivo, the Spanish Embassy in Mexico, the International Association of Families for Sexual Diversity (FEMESS), and The Trevor Project, as well as the Chamber of Deputies' Diversity Commission, joined this effort.

He added that Gerard Mates, the short's creator, lent his talent to the creation of this piece, which addresses it from a previously unseen perspective. "Art, with that grace, allows us to approach it, understand it, assimilate it, reflect on it, and be energized."

We live in turbulent times

For his part, Gerard Mates himself shared at a press conference that "as we all know, we live in turbulent times, where hatred is more prevalent," and these types of campaigns are essential, "because there is a growing rejection of those who do not fit into those more conservative molds, this hatred corners us and always puts us against the ropes, it is a latent hatred that we see and grows day by day."

He adds that it was in this hostile environment that they thought of a collective campaign, "there was urgency, because more and more of us know a friend, acquaintance or relative who tried to commit suicide, although it happens every day, very little is said about it and that's why it was now or never to use forces and give visibility to the issue, to speak about the problems and reach more people."

He explained that this two-and-a-half-minute piece is primarily aimed at people outside the community, "those people who are a bit alienated from the problem, and to address this particular group, we didn't want to be alarmist or sensationalist. We wanted to find a way to talk about everyday life, about everyone, and ultimately bring them closer to this issue."

The way we speak in everyday life was the basis for creating the campaign and impacting the public. The story enunciates and invites understanding, empathy, dialogue, and action, so that "those on the outside look inward, and those on the inside aren't alone," she concludes.

About the short film

It will be released to the public on May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Lesbophobia and Biphobia.

To share the call to action, the hashtags #ElPoderDeLasComunidades #IDAHOBIT2025 #Másquepalabras were presented, as well as visiting https://www.facebook.com/femess.mx and www.youtube.com/@fundacionemexicovivo6755

The campaign concludes with two free life resources for the entire population: one is a specialized suicide lifeline and the other is a 24/7 chat space on completely confidential health issues.