Trump administration ends 988 suicide prevention service for LGBTQ+ youth : Shots
Funding for a crucial LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention program within the 988 crisis line faces potential cuts, sparking alarm among mental health experts. The specialized service,wich handled approximately 100,000 contacts early in 2024,is now threatened due to its omission from the president’s budget. Senator Tammy Baldwin vows to fight for continued funding,emphasizing the critical role of these services. The article highlights the importance of specialized care and shared experiences in providing invaluable support to vulnerable youths. Black of The Trevor Project assures continued support, even as capacity concerns loom. Mental health advocates are particularly concerned. For the latest developments, turn to News Directory 3. Discover what’s next in the fight for LGBTQ+ mental health resources.
LGBTQ Youth Suicide Prevention Program Faces Funding Cuts
Updated June 19, 2025
A specialized crisis support line for LGBTQ youth may be in danger of losing its funding.Mental health advocates are sounding the alarm, emphasizing the critical role these services play in suicide prevention.
The potential cuts stem from the service not being included in the president’s budget for the upcoming year. one expert, who has worked in the field for over two decades, expressed confusion over the strategy, noting the service has become a vital resource for a vulnerable population.
According to Miller, data indicates a meaningful need for this type of support. In January and February alone, the LGBTQ+ service handled around 100,000 contacts.
Hannah Wesolowski, chief advocacy officer at the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), underscored the importance of specialized services. She said that trained staff with shared experiences provide invaluable care to those seeking help.”And we certainly know that crisis services geared towards LGBTQ+ youth and young adults works,” Wesolowski said. “These services save lives.”
Black of The Trevor Project assured LGBTQ+ youth that their helpline remains available. However, Black acknowledged that The Trevor Project lacks the capacity to manage the call volume handled by 988.
A recent NAMI poll revealed that 61% of respondents supported specialized mental health services through 988 for high-risk groups, including LGBTQ+ youth, according to Wesolowski.
Senator Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., stated that Congress had previously approved funding for the 988’s LGBTQ+ service with bipartisan support.She vowed to continue fighting for suicide prevention funding for LGBTQ+ children, urging her Republican colleagues to join the effort.
Black wants gay and trans youth to know that they can still reach out to The Trevor Project’s own helpline.
“What they get with that specialized services line is they get somebody who cares, somebody who’s been there with them, who has shared experiences, who can understand where they’re coming from, and who has been specially trained to address the situations that they are dealing with,” says Hannah Wesolowski the chief advocacy officer at the non-profit National Alliance for mental Illness.
“I want every LGBTQ+ young person to know that you are worthy, you are loved, and you belong,” he said in a statement. “The Trevor Project’s crisis counselors are here for you 24/7, just as we always have been, to help you navigate anything you might be feeling right now.”
What’s next
The future of funding for the 988’s LGBTQ+ service remains uncertain, but advocates like Senator Baldwin are committed to fighting for its continuation.