988 Suicide Lifeline Ends LGBTQ Youth Services Amid‍ Funding Concerns

Updated June ⁢19,2025

The 988 ⁣National Suicide & Crisis⁢ Lifeline will discontinue its specialized⁢ support services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults starting July 17,according to a federal agency declaration. ⁤The move comes as advocates‍ express concern over the⁣ Trump administration’s proposed 2026 budget, which seeks to⁣ eliminate funding for these dedicated services.

Since September 2022, the LGBTQ+‍ youth program has served nearly 1.3 million⁤ callers, accessible via the “Press 3” option or by texting “PRIDE,” federal data indicates.

The Substance‍ Abuse and ‍Mental Health Services⁤ Administration ⁤(SAMHSA),‍ part of the U.S. Department of Health and ⁣Human Services, stated ⁣the decision aims “to⁢ focus on serving‍ all help ⁣seekers, including⁣ those previously served ⁢thru⁢ the Press‍ 3 option,” rather than “silo” the services. the announcement was made⁢ Tuesday on SAMHSA’s website.

The news coincides with the U.S. ⁣Supreme Court’s decision Wednesday to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender ⁣minors.

The Trevor Project, one of seven centers providing 988 crisis support for LGBTQ+ individuals, ⁤received official notice of the program’s end Tuesday. The association serves nearly half of⁢ all lifeline contacts.

Jaymes Black, CEO of the Trevor Project, issued a statement Wednesday, saying, “suicide prevention is ⁢about people, not politics. 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.”

SAMHSA’s⁢ statement regarding the 988 decision referred to⁣ “LGB+ youth services.” Black ⁣criticized the omission of “T” representing transgender people as “callous,” asserting,⁢ “Transgender ⁣people can never, and⁣ will ⁤never, be erased.”

The Trevor ⁣Project and other ⁣organizations will continue their 24/7 mental health support services. 988 leaders ‍emphasize the hotline will continue to serve all callers‍ with⁤ compassion.

Preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates approximately 49,300 suicides occurred in 2023, nearing the nation’s highest level.

Studies⁢ reveal LGBTQ+ youth face a heightened suicide risk. A 2024 CDC analysis found 26% of transgender⁤ and gender-questioning students attempted⁣ suicide in the past year, compared to 5% of cisgender male and 11% of cisgender female students.

Following President Donald trump’s re-election, crisis ⁢hotlines experienced a surge in calls from young‍ transgender individuals. Trump’s campaign emphasized anti-transgender⁢ themes, leading to the rollback of civil rights protections and access to gender-affirming care.

Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 into law in October 2020.

SAMHSA reported the⁤ 988 subprogram for LGBTQ+ youth cost $33 million in fiscal year 2024, with over $33 million spent as ⁤of June 2025. The Trump administration’s 2026 budget proposal aims to⁢ maintain 988’s total budget at $520 million while eliminating LGBTQ+ services.

Health ⁤Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. proposes integrating SAMHSA and other agencies ⁢into a ⁤new HHS office, the administration for a Healthy America, alongside employees handling chemical exposures and work-related injuries.

What’s ⁢next

Advocates are strategizing to address the⁣ funding cuts ⁤and ensure continued mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth,emphasizing the critical role these services play in suicide prevention.