The Trump administration has announced a stunner after revealing it is ending a specialized LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention service.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced that as of July 17, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline will no longer offer a separate option specifically for LGBTQ+ youth.
Since 2022, the 988 Lifeline has included a pilot program offering specialized support to LGBTQ+ youth through “option 3” on its menu.
The service has received nearly 1.3 million contacts since its launch, but will soon transition to a model designed to serve all Americans in crisis.
SAMHSA officials emphasized that the reorganization is part of a broader effort to ensure all Americans have equal access to crisis counseling services.
Under the new structure, callers will still receive support from skilled counselors trained to handle various types of emotional distress, but they will not be directed to counselors based on caller identity.
The change comes as part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ plans to reorganize SAMHSA into a new Administration for a Healthy America, streamlining services and eliminating redundancies.
Critics have attacked the timing of the announcement during Pride Month, but administration officials note that the decision is about effective resource allocation rather than targeting any specific community.
The Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black criticized the move, saying, “This is devastating, to say the least.”
“The administration’s decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible,” he added.
Those in favor of the decision argue that the unified approach ensures that every person in crisis receives prompt attention without having to navigate through service categories.
Alternative support resources remain available through private organizations like The Trevor Project, though they lack the capacity to handle the same volume as 988 Lifeline.
Supporters of the change note that it aligns with the administration’s broader goal of providing services that treat all Americans equally.
They argue that mental health struggles affect people across all demographic categories and that creating separate services based on sexual orientation or gender identity unnecessarily divides Americans rather than uniting them.
SAMHSA has assured the public that the 988 Lifeline will continue providing access to competent crisis counselors for all callers, maintaining its commitment to suicide prevention.
It will also ensure equal treatment for all Americans seeking help during times of emotional distress.
