Trump Administration cuts LGBTQ+ hotline for Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

(FOX40.COM) — The Trump Administration announced on June 18 that it has directed the national suicide prevention hotline to stop offering specialized support to LGBTQ+ callers.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) stated in a news release that 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will “no longer silo” LGBTQ+ youth services”. This was also known as the “Press 3 option,” which was focused on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option.

Gov. Gavin Newsom stated that he is condemning the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate specialized suicide prevention support for LGBTQ youth callers. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a service used by hundreds of thousands in crisis.

“Cutting off a proven lifeline for people in need is outrageous and inexcusable. While this federal administration slashes services and tries to erase LGBTQ people, California will do the opposite. Every child, straight, gay, transgender — belongs,” Newsom said.

In September 2022, the Trevor Project started to provide LGBTQ youth specialized support through the 988 lifeline, according to Newsom. The federal funding for this specialized support will no longer be available starting on July 17.

“We received official notice that the Trump administration has ordered the closure of The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program, effective July 17, 2025,” said Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project. “This means that, in 30 short days, this program that has provided life-saving services to more than 1.3 million LGBTQ+ young people will no longer be available for those who need it.”

Newsom said that the project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ young people in the U.S. consider suicide each year, and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.

Officials from the Trevor Project stated that they serve almost 50% of the LGBTQ+ youth, and in 2024, they directly served more than 231,000 crisis contacts and trained over 250 crisis counselors and operational support staff to support the 988 Lifeline.

“I want every LGBTQ+ young person to know that you are worthy, you are loved, and you belong – despite this heartbreaking news,” Black said. “The Trevor Project’s crisis counselors are here for you 24/7, just as we always have been, to help you navigate anything you might be feeling right now.”

Celebrities across the entertainment industry, such as Pedro Pascal, Daniel Radcliffe, Ariana Grande, and Dua Lipa, have reached out to the administration office in an open letter that was organized by the Trevor Project to reconsider its decisions.

“This is about people, not politics,” the letter reads. “At a time of deep division, let this be something we as people can all agree on: no young person should be left without help in their darkest moment.”