The Trump administration has announced plans to discontinue the national LGBTQ youth suicide lifeline, specifically the “Press 3 option” of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, effective July 17. This decision was communicated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which stated it will no longer “silo” LGBTQ services. The removal of the “T” for transgender individuals from the acronym highlights an alarming focus on serving the broader population at the potential expense of targeted support for LGBTQ youth.
Initially launched as a pilot in 2022 in partnership with the Trevor Project, the Press 3 option provided specialized support for individuals under 25 years old. The Trevor Project, known for its crisis intervention services, was the sole provider of these specialized services and now is part of a larger LGBTQ Youth Subnetwork.
While SAMHSA claims that affected youth will still have access to trained crisis counselors through the general hotline, critics argue that this eliminates essential tailored services for a high-risk demographic. Jaymes Black, CEO of the Trevor Project, described the administration’s decision as “devastating,” emphasizing that suicide prevention transcends political boundaries. Black condemned the move as detrimental to a vulnerable group, especially significant during Pride Month, and called for Congressional intervention.
The budget proposal for 2026 by the Department of Health and Human Services also suggested eliminating these specialized services. A spokesperson for the White House’s Office of Management and Budget justified the cuts by asserting that taxpayer funds should not support what they term “radical gender ideology.” This approach represents a broader political stance against trans rights and community support during a time of heightened vulnerability for LGBTQ youth.
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