Lil Nas X has been named the first winner of the Trevor Project’s Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year award.

The award, which was presented on Wednesday, coincides with the start of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and is intended to highlight the work that has to be done to prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth.

According to a rep from The Trevor Project who spoke to Complex, 42 percent of LGBTQ youth have “seriously considered attempting suicide” in the past year, according to a recent poll.

Nas commended the nonprofit for its continuing efforts in the LGBTQ community, while also emphasizing the prejudice that still exists for many people throughout the world.

X said in a statement to Complex: “Thank you so much to The Trevor Project for this award and for all they do for the LGBTQ community. Discrimination around sexuality and gender identity is still very real, and our community deserves to feel supported and totally free to be themselves.”

He went on: “I often get messages from fans telling me about their struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, and it made me realize that this was something bigger than myself. If using my voice and expressing myself in my music can help even one kid out there who feels alone, then it was all worth it.”

The Trevor Project is an American nonprofit organization founded on March 25th, 1998 which is dedicated to suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth. The organization, through a toll-free telephone number, offers support confidentially to persons in need using trained counselors.

Speaking of Lil Nas’s award, Amit Paley, CEO and Executive Director at The Trevor Project said on Wednesday:

“The Trevor Project is thrilled to honor Lil Nas X with the Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year Award. His vulnerability in his journey to self acceptance and expression has created space for candid conversations around mental health and sexual identity, signaling to LGBTQ youth that they are not alone.

“The Trevor Project’s research shows that over 80% of LGBTQ youth say that LGBTQ celebrities positively influence how they feel about being LGBTQ, further affirming the cultural impact of Lil Nas X being proud of who he is and an ideal recipient of this inaugural award.”

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