Cut to specialized LGBTQ+ 988 services take effect

Members of the LGBTQ+ community no longer have access to specialized service through the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Source: “Trump administration order to end specialized LGBTQ+ suicide hotline takes effect,” Columbus Dispatch, July 17).
 
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — announced last month that it would no longer fund the national crisis lifeline's "Press 3" option, which allowed individuals who called 988 to be connected with counselors specifically trained to assist LGBTQ+ youth. The service ended July 17.
 
In its June 17 statement, SAMHSA said the $33 million in federal funds spent on "Press 3" services exceeded the original budget set when the lifeline's LGBTQ+ subnetwork was established as a pilot program in 2022. Now, the 988 lifeline "will no longer silo" LGBTQ+ youth services and instead focus on "serving all help seekers," including members of the LGBTQ+ community, according to SAMHSA's statement.
 
Nonprofit suicide prevention organization The Trevor Project reports that LGBTQ+ youth are over four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, with more than 39% of the community found to have seriously considered attempting suicide in 2024.
 
Beyond standard 988 service, members of the LGBTQ+ community who are struggling or in crisis can use the following services:

• The Trevor Project Lifeline, intended for LGBTQ+ youth ages 24 and younger, can be reached 24/7 by calling (866) 488-7386, texting START to 678678, or accessing chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help.
• Trans Lifeline, intended for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached by calling (877) 565-8860. The lifeline can also provide resources to help with other crises, like domestic violence situations.
• LGBT National Youth Talkline, intended for individuals 25 years old and younger, offers a space to talk about relationship concerns, bullying, family, HIV/AIDS anxiety, suicide, and more. The talkline can be reached at 800-246-7743 on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. EST and Monday through Friday from 2-11 p.m.