Trump-Era Termination of LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Hotline: A Look Back at the Controversial Decision

In a move that sparked widespread condemnation, the Trump administration officially terminated the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ Youth Specialized Services program. This program, which allowed callers under 25 to connect with counselors specifically trained to support LGBTQ+ individuals, was shuttered following an announcement by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) the previous month.

SAMHSA stated its intention to “no longer silo LGB+ youth services,” notably omitting the “T” for transgender, and instead aimed to “focus on serving all help seekers.” The agency asserted that all callers to the 988 Lifeline would continue to receive access to skilled, culturally competent crisis counselors.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline itself launched in July 2022, two years after then-President Donald Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act. This bipartisan legislation recognized that LGBTQ+ youths are significantly more likely to contemplate suicide than their peers and emphasized the need for SAMHSA to provide specialized resources to high-risk populations. The specialized LGBTQ+ hotline, known as the “Press 3 option” or by texting “PRIDE” to 988, began as a pilot program in October 2022 and had routed nearly 1.5 million contacts to its services since its inception.

The decision to terminate the program drew strong criticism from advocates and politicians alike. Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, a key provider for the specialized service, called the termination “unfathomable,” accusing the administration of “playing politics with real young people’s lives.” Congressional figures, including Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a co-sponsor of the 988 legislation, and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), also spoke out against the cut, warning of dire consequences for vulnerable youth.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees SAMHSA, cited the expiration of congressionally directed funding for the Press 3 option as the reason for its termination, adding that continued operation would have necessitated reallocating funds from the main 988 Lifeline. While the 988 specialized service ceased, The Trevor Project continued to offer its services directly. Additionally, some states, like California, moved to fill the void, with Governor Gavin Newsom announcing a partnership with The Trevor Project to enhance crisis counselor training for 988 in the state, reaffirming support for the LGBTQ+ community.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.