Eric James Borges, a volunteer with The Trevor Project (a crisis intervention organization) completed suicide January 11, 2012.

The death of the 19 year old was very unexpected by all, with Borges having uploaded an ‘It Gets Better’ video on YouTube only very recently.

In the video he talked about his childhood, the bullying he endured and the loss of his family because of his sexual orientation.

“My mother knew I was gay and performed an exorcism on me in an attempt to cure me. My anxiety, depression, self-loathing and suicidal thoughts spiked. I had nowhere safe to go, either at home or school,” Borges said.

“You will love and be loved and I love you. You have an entire life, fit to burst with opportunities ahead of you. Don’t ever give up and don’t ever for one second think that you’re not a valuable and beautiful contribution to this world. It gets better.”

Laura McGuinnis, a spokeswoman for the Trevor Project told The Washington Post that because he was working with suicide prevention he knew the counselling available to him.

“Unfortunately suicide is so complicated, so rooted in mental illness, that it is difficult to know why he made that decision. It is very, very sad” said McGuinnis.

For more information about the Trever Project or if you need help visit their website at www.thetrevorproject.org.