Trump Orders Closure Of Suicide Hotline Service For LGBTQ+ Youth
The life-saving resource, which has served over 1.3 million LGBTQ+ young people, has been ordered to close in 30 days.
On Tuesday, The Trevor Project confirmed that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has ordered the closure of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s Press 3 Option in 30 days. The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth and has served as the sole provider for the pilot phase of 988 LGBTQ+ youth specialized services.
In a statement that quietly appeared on the SAMHSA website yesterday, the administration states, “On July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the “Press 3 option,” to focus on serving all help seekers, including those who previously served through the Press 3 option.”
Although the administration claims everyone who contacts the 988 Lifeline “will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counselors,” CEO of the Trevor Project Jaymes Black says it’s not that simple.
“SAMHSA’s statement says, although this is eliminated, everyone will still get help. Here’s what they must understand—that the counselors who supported the Press 3 option were trained specifically to support LGBTQ+ young people,” Black said in an Instagram post. “Because having someone who truly understands the unique needs and challenges of LGBTQ+ young people isn’t just helpful. It can be the difference between saving a life and losing one.”
Related: Trans And Nonbinary Americans Win Key Legal Victory Against Trump Administration’s ID Policy
Since being implemented in 2022, this program, funded through the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, provided an estimated 1.3 million crisis contacts with LGBTQ+ inclusive services. LGBTQ+ youth who contacted the 988 Lifeline via phone, text, or chat had the option of being connected with a specially trained LGBTQ+ focused counselor by phone 24/7 by pressing 3. In the 24 hours following Trump’s election, the Trevor Project reported a near 700% increase in Lifeline calls, the most dramatic surge the hotline has ever seen.
The closure of this line is another attack on the LGBTQ+ community by the Trump Administration. It follows executive orders removing diversity, equity, and inclusion in government, denying the existence of transgender and non-binary people, refusing to acknowledge Pride Month, and more.
“This is not about politics. This is about people. This is your neighbor’s kid, this your coworker’s daughter who sees no tomorrow, this is someone’s baby who just needs to know that they matter,” Black said. “To every LGBTQ+ youth who is listening—your life has meaning. You are our artists, our athletes, our dreamers, our leaders, and you are perfect just the way you are. You are our future. And we will never stop fighting for you.”
The Trevor Project has started an Emergency Lifeline Campaign to call on legislators to restore funding cuts in this year’s fiscal budget. If you would like to support, the Trevor Project has opened a petition to urge Congress to protect the Lifeline.
