This week, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline announced the discontinuation of its specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth, coinciding with the completion of its third year of operation.
During this time, the service has responded to over 16 million calls, texts, and chats.
Government data indicates that nearly 10% of these contacts have come from gay and transgender youth, a demographic known to face unique mental health challenges.
Mark Henson, vice president of government affairs and advocacy at The Trevor Project, expressed deep concern over the ending of these crucial services.
“This is a tragic moment,” he stated, highlighting that The Trevor Project, which fields about half of incoming LGBTQ+ contacts, has historically provided essential support to this vulnerable group.
Data from the Youth Behavior Risk Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that LGBTQ+ youth are more prone to persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness and have higher rates of suicide attempts than their peers.
Before the recent changes, youth calling 988 had the option to press 3 to connect with counselors specifically trained to address their unique challenges, including discrimination and violence.
This tailored support is similar to a service provided to veterans who are also at a higher risk of suicide and can connect with appropriate counselors by pressing 1.
The support for LGBTQ+ youth will be discontinued as the 988 Lifeline prepares for its fourth year, while the veterans’ service remains intact.
Henson emphasized the importance of the available services, stating, “Many LGBTQ+ youth who use these services didn’t know they existed until they called 988 and found out there is someone on the other end of the line that knows what they’ve gone through and cares deeply for them.”
Since the launch of the Lifeline, demand for these services has surged, rising from around 2,000 contacts per month in September 2022 to nearly 70,000 by recent months.
The 988 Lifeline, including its provisions for veterans and LGBTQ+ youth, originated from bipartisan legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump.
In a press release earlier this year, the Trump administration indicated a shift in focus stating that it would no longer maintain separate services for LGBTQ+ youth, which it referred to as the “Press 3 option.”
Danielle Bennett, a spokesperson for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, explained that the funding specifically allocated for the Press 3 option had run out.
Congress had originally provided over $33 million for LGBTQ+ services for 2025, but those funds were depleted by mid-year.
In contrast, nearly $520 million was allocated for all services under the 988 umbrella this year.
Bennett indicated that continuing funding specifically for the Press 3 option risked the possibility of significant reductions in the overall 988 services.
Henson highlighted that the initially allocated congressional funds were exceeded in previous years, pointing out that the Biden administration had previously reallocated additional resources to support The Trevor Project based on its vital work.
He asserted, “So there was the knowledge and understanding at the beginning of the year that the congressional set aside was likely to be exceeded.”
Senator Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., a primary architect of the 988 legislation, remarked that the Lifeline’s core mission was to ensure timely responses to individuals in mental health crises.
“Somebody in a mental health crisis, somebody contemplating suicide can’t be put on hold,” she emphasized.
Baldwin criticized the decision to cut LGBTQ+ youth services, describing it as a political maneuver amid a background of sustained attacks on the LGBTQ+ community.
“To then cut off a lifeline is absolutely cruel,” she charged.
Despite the loss of this critical federal funding, The Trevor Project vowed to continue its services.
Henson reassured supporters, stating, “We worked with our counselors, we worked internally, we worked with allies to make sure that everyone knows that no matter what happens, the Trevor Project itself will continue to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth in crisis.”
For LGBTQ+ youth seeking assistance, The Trevor Project remains accessible through multiple channels, including calling 1-866-488-7386, texting “start” to 678-678, or chatting via their website at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/.
Henson concluded by calling upon supporters to fortify their crisis services to ensure that someone is always available to help when LGBTQ+ youth reach out.
image source from：npr
