The Trump administration announced the closure of the national LGBTQ youth suicide lifeline, the “Press 3 option,” effective July 17. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) stated it would cease providing specialized services for LGBTQ youth, claiming a focus on serving all help seekers. This option allowed youth up to age 25 to connect with trained counselors when calling the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline since its pilot launch in 2022. Originally established under Trump to address heightened suicide rates among LGBTQ youth, the service specifically addressed the needs of this demographic.
Critics, including Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black, termed the decision “devastating,” emphasizing that the program has provided essential support to over 1.3 million LGBTQ youth. Black criticized the removal of the “T” representing transgender individuals from the acronym and labeled the timing of the announcement, during Pride Month, as particularly insensitive. He urged Congress to reinstate the service, affirming that the Trevor Project would continue offering crisis support 24/7.
In the context of budget proposals, the Department of Health and Human Services had recently suggested eliminating youth specialized services. A spokesperson from the White House defended this by stating that taxpayer funds should not support what they termed “radical gender ideology,” a term used by conservatives to describe transgender rights activism. Despite the administration’s assertions of broad access to crisis support, Black contended that the strategic removal of targeted services for LGBTQ youth undermined essential life-saving resources at a critical time. He reassured LGBTQ youth of their worth and the availability of support during this troubling development.
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