The Trump administration has announced the termination of specialized suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth offered through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a move that has led to significant backlash from mental health advocates and organizations.
Starting July 17, the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will cease these services, which included counselors specifically trained to support high-risk groups, such as veterans and LGBTQ+ youth.
While the general 988 helpline will remain operational, SAMHSA assured the public that everyone who reaches out will still connect with skilled and culturally competent crisis counselors equipped to address a range of emotional distress, including suicidal ideation and substance misuse.
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, expressed deep dismay regarding this decision, calling it “devastating.” He emphasized that the removal of this bipartisan, evidence-based service undermines crucial support for LGBTQ+ youth during critical times in their lives.
“The administration’s decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible,” Black stated.
The LGBTQ+ youth service was introduced as a pilot program when the 988 helpline launched in 2022 and has since received nearly 1.3 million contacts from LGBTQ+ individuals, including calls, texts, and online chats, indicating a significant demand for such services.
The heightened risk of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth is documented in numerous studies.
According to psychologist Benjamin Miller from the Stanford School of Medicine, around 40% of LGBTQ youth considered suicide in the past year, with 10% reporting suicide attempts.
For those seeking help, Miller noted that only about half were able to access the necessary support.
The 988 helpline provides a vital resource for these young individuals, allowing them to receive mental health support in times of crisis.
Miller pointed out that SAMHSA’s announcement notably excluded the “T” for transgender and “Q” for queer from the LGBTQ+ acronym, underlining a concerning trend in the agency’s messaging.
He stated, “cutting off support for this group of youth sends a message, and that message is more like you’re on your own.”
Despite early indications that such a decision might be on the horizon—such as the lack of funding for these services in the president’s budget for the upcoming year—Miller finds the move destabilizing for a system that had taken years to establish and earn the trust of those in need.
As a long-time advocate for mental health, he expressed confusion regarding the strategy behind this withdrawal of support.
No comment from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been available concerning this matter.
Miller reiterated the pressing need for dedicated support for LGBTQ+ youth, highlighting that the specialized service fielded about 100,000 contacts within just two months this year, a clear indication of the ongoing demand for help.
With specialized services, callers connect with individuals who understand their struggles, share similar experiences, and are trained to address their unique situations.
Hannah Wesolowski, chief advocacy officer at the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), affirmed that crisis services tailored for LGBTQ+ youth are already proven to be effective.
“These services save lives,” she asserted, warning that the discontinuation of such a service within the 988 system could have dire consequences for individuals seeking help.
Although Black urged LGBTQ+ youth to continue reaching out to The Trevor Project’s crisis helpline, he acknowledged the organization’s limited capacity to manage the same volume of inquiries as the 988 Lifeline.
A recent NAMI poll underscored public support for specialized services, with 61% of respondents endorsing mental health initiatives tailored for high-risk groups, including LGBTQ+ youth.
Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat representing Wisconsin, highlighted that funding for these specialized services had garnered bipartisan approval during congressional discussions.
The termination of this essential support for LGBTQ+ youth raises urgent concerns about the ongoing mental health crisis within this community and the implications of reduced accessibility to trained crisis counselors.
image source from：npr
