Last Friday, the Trump administration quietly made official its plan to eliminate a federal suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ youth.
I mentioned this is an earlier post but wanted to cover the topic more fully. This is an important issue.
Trump administration finalizes plan to eliminate LGBTQ+ 988 crisis services during WorldPride https://t.co/SBWLZIthHw
— The Advocate (@TheAdvocateMag) June 9, 2025
Via The Advocate:
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Fiscal Year 2026 budget, released Friday, confirms the administration’s intent to eliminate all funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth specialized services—effective October 1.
The move finalizes a draft proposal leaked in April and drew swift condemnation from mental health experts and advocates who say it will endanger the lives of queer and trans youth.
Codified initially into law during Trump’s first term with bipartisan support, the LGBTQ+ youth subnetwork within 988 was launched in 2022 and allows callers to “press 3” or text “PRIDE” to reach affirming counselors.
The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ youth in the U.S. seriously consider suicide each year — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, said in a statement:
“We do not have to agree on every policy issue to agree that every young American’s life is worth saving.”
“It is deeply upsetting to see the administration reverse course on an evidence-backed, bipartisan program that has successfully provided life-saving crisis care to 1.3 million LGBTQ+ young people and counting.”
Since its launch in 2022, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has connected nearly 1.3 million crisis contacts with life-saving, affirming care to LGBTQ+ young people during their most vulnerable moments.
According to The Trevor Project, LGBTQ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services.
I just signed a @theactionnet petition: Protect 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth. Sign here: https://t.co/znasXUYu3J
— Merril The Pearl (@MerrilTheP) June 9, 2025
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