“Project Runway's” Tim Gunn Discusses Suicide Attempt in PSA

"Project Runway's" affable and wisened fashion guru Tim Gunn turned serious in a new public service announcement that discusses a topic that is sadly prevalent in the headlines these days: teen suicide.

Following the death of Rutgers' freshman Tyler Clementi, who jumped off New York's George Washington Bridge after discovering that his roommate had streamed a sexual encounter between himself and another male over the Internet, there has been an outpouring of support from celebrities across the country around the matter and Gunn is the latest to address the issue head on.

In the PSA, which was recorded for the Trevor Project - a gay-teen-oriented suicide hotline - Gunn talks about his own thoughts of suicide when he was younger.

"As a 17-year-old youth who was in quite a bit of despair, I attempted to kill myself," he said. "I'm happy to say today that attempt was unsuccessful. But at the time it was all that I could contemplate."

Gunn said he swallowed over 100 pills when he tried to take his own life.

"I understand the desperation," he says. "I understand the despair. And I understand how isolated you can feel."

But he then urges youths to find support. "Reach out. Get help. You're not alone. It will get better - I promise."

His last remark is a nod to the It Gets Better Project, started by sex columnist Dan Savage. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of the issue of bullying towards lesbian, gay, transgernder and bisexual youth.

Selected Reading: Gawker, New York Times, E! Online

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