Trump Administration Closes LGBTQ Youth Suicide Prevention Hotline Amid Growing Mental Health Concerns

On Thursday afternoon, the Trump administration officially ended the LGBTQ Youth Specialized Services program within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This program offered callers under 25 the chance to speak with counselors trained in LGBTQ issues. The announcement, made by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), stated that the agency would no longer provide specialized services for LGBTQ youth, citing a commitment to serving all help seekers equally. This decision notably excluded the transgender community, represented by the “T” in “LGB+.”

Despite the closure of the specialized program, SAMHSA assured the public that all individuals contacting the 988 Lifeline will continue to have access to skilled crisis counselors capable of addressing a range of emotional distress and mental health issues. The 988 Lifeline, launched in July 2022, became the universal number for national suicide prevention, following bipartisan legislation recognizing the heightened suicide risk among LGBTQ youth. Initially launched as a pilot program in October 2022, the LGBTQ hotline, known as the “Press 3 option,” received substantial funding and connected nearly 1.5 million contacts to LGBTQ-specialized services. The Trevor Project was the primary provider at inception but later expanded to include seven other organizations.

Critics of this decision, including Rep. Seth Moulton, expressed grave concerns, stating that the termination would endanger lives, particularly those of vulnerable youth in crisis. Even some Republicans joined the condemnation, emphasizing the necessity of specialized support for LGBTQ youth during emergencies. While the LGBTQ service has been discontinued, resources remain available through organizations like the Trevor Project. Additionally, states like California are stepping up to provide enhanced crisis training for their 988 counselors in response to the program’s closure, sending a clear message of support for LGBTQ youth.