It Gets Better, the anti-bullying video campaign, has launched a Spanish-language version in Latin America called Todo Mejora.

Chile is taking the lead on the project and regional coordinator Julio Cezar Dantas says it appeals to Chile’s concern for others.

He said: ‘It looks to show LGBT teens that there is no reason to hurt themselves, because as a country we are here for them, to hear them, embrace them and help them see things in a better light’.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Chile has the second highest teen suicide rate in the world, behind South Korea.

In 2010, an estimated eight out of 100 teens between ages 10 and 19 committed suicide in Chile. The Ministry of Health estimates that by 2020, 12 out of 100 teens will commit suicide.

‘LGBT teens who suffer from bullying and can’t count on the support from their families should not lose hope because as a gay adult it does get better,’ said Dantas.

Thousands of videos have been uploaded to the It Gets Better website and YouTube channel include messages from gay teens, straight celebrities and even Barack Obama. 

Created by author Dan Savage in the US to show young LGBT people the levels of happiness, potential and positivity their lives will reach, the It Gets Better project has been translated into Spanish to allow for native speakers to upload their own videos.

The website TodoMejora.org will also provide educational material for parents, friends and teachers of LGBT teens, as well as information on health centers where they can seek help.

According to statistics from It Gets Better, gay teens are four times more likely to commit suicide than straight teens, and up to eight times more likely if there is rejection from families.

‘The most important factor for the healthy development of LGBT individuals and to avoid suicide is the existence of a supportive family group,’ explains psychologist Felipe Peña.

‘Studies show that the psychological difficulties seen in LGBT teens are because of discrimination and not because of their sexual orientation.’ 

TodoMejora.org is the latest regional website to join the It Gets Better campaign, with Australia, Denmark and Sweden also joining recently.

To upload your own video and become involved in the campaign visit TodoMejora.org