988's crisis services for LGBTQ youth are now silent

Since 2022, the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has offered specialized crisis counseling to LGBTQ youth through a simple prompt.

Callers to the federally-funded hotline only needed to push 3; those who texted 988 or chatted could make the same selection by, respectively, texting PRIDE or checking a box to speak with an "LGBTQI trained crisis counselor."

Supporters have hailed the "press 3" option as a success. But it's suddenly slated to disappear, following an announcement in June by the Trump administration that it would "no longer silo" these counseling services, as of today, July 17. Observers noted that the announcement omitted the "T" for transgender when referring to "LGB+ youth services."

When asked directly by Mashable about ending the "press 3" offering, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said that it had run out of congressional funding. Continuing to operate it, the spokesperson said, could have led to massive reductions in service to the entire 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

A similar option for veterans, also offered by 988, was not shuttered, apparently because it's funded through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Both populations are at higher risk for suicide; LGBTQ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, due to factors like stigma and discrimination.

Mark Henson, interim vice president of advocacy and government affairs for LGBTQ nonprofit The Trevor Project, told Mashable that the federal government has the flexibility to provide the funds necessary to keep the line operational until the next fiscal year.

"Because the demand continues to rise, providing increased funding was previously — and remains today — in the best interest of supporting the 988 Lifeline's infrastructure. We need more resources, not fewer, to provide Americans with the life-saving crisis care they need and deserve," Henson said.

Suicide prevention advocates are alarmed by the administration's decision and the scant guidance and information they've received in the weeks since, said Henson. The Trevor Project is one of seven groups that have trained counselors to handle calls, chats, and texts through 988's specialized support for LGBTQ youth.

LGBTQ youth in distress could previously choose to be connected to counselors specifically trained to work with this population. Those counselors learn about the unique risk factors for suicide amongst LGBTQ youth, which include family rejection and estrangement, homelessness, bullying, and discrimination. Counselors could also refer youth to supportive local LGBTQ services including community centers.

"This has all the hallmarks of what we want government programs to do for us," Henson said. "This is what we want government to do to help save lives."

In the years since its introduction, the service made 1.5 million connections for LGBTQ youth who reached out for help. This year, the service was on track to exceed the number of people it served in 2024, when more than 600,000 people used the option.

Henson said there may be "life and death consequences" as a result of the administration's decision.

He is particularly worried that the service's shut-down could become a barrier to reaching out for some LGBTQ youth, who may feel newly skeptical of using 988. Henson added that LGBTQ youth may see the change as a signal that their government "thinks their life might not be worth saving," even though specialized crisis support services received bipartisan support and were adopted during the first Trump administration.

Bob Gebbia, CEO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said that he didn't want to jump to conclusions about suicide risk amongst LGBTQ youth increasing as a result of the service ending.

Yet he noted that it might affect some youth: "We do know that when people sometimes feel discriminated against, or there's a bias against them, that could increase the potential to become despondent, anxious, depressed, and struggling with their mental health and overall well-being."

There are other concerns, too. Gebbia said that crisis line wait times may increase for everyone as counselors field calls, chats, and texts that would've otherwise been directed to press 3 option. Additionally, some local crisis centers have begun laying off staff, reportedly as a result of losing the federal funding meant to aid LGBTQ youth.

Both Henson and Gebbia said Congress could bring the specialized services back by including funding for them in the appropriations bill that will be finalized this fall. The Trevor Project has collected more than 50,000 signatures for a petition imploring President Trump and Congress to restore funding.

Still, a months-long lapse in the service before it's restored could be dangerous for vulnerable youth, Gebbia said. He emphasized that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will still be operational for anyone who needs support, including LGBTQ youth.

For those concerned that its services may no longer meet their needs, Henson recommends they directly contact the Trevor Project's crisis hotline; the Trans Lifeline; Crisis Text Line; or BlackLine, a crisis support service for youth who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Henson also advises any youth in crisis to talk to a trusted friend or adult.

Gebbia said that youth should continue to call 988 if they're struggling, and recommended they also consider resources like a guidance counselor or a workplace employee assistance program.

"I think the most important thing if you're [a] LGBTQ young person and you're having a hard time, [is that] there's help, there's hope, there's people who care," Gebbia said.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email [email protected]. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.