The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to cut back on services for LGBTQ youth, known as the National 988 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline.
According to copy Of the 2026 HHS budget for mental health, the Trump administration will maintain $10 million for professional services for Spanish speakers that will contact the hotline via text or chat, but eliminate “2024 Congressional Oriented Set Azid within 988 for LGBTQ+ Youth Specialty Services.”
Leaked budget draft It previews the Trump administration’s plans to reduce health-related spending and reorganize health agencies as part of a larger integration effort.
If the proposed budget is in place, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialty Services could be repaid soon in October.
Since the hotline was launched in 2022, callers have been able to speak with counselors trained to work with certain at-risk groups, including LGBTQ youth.
Dial 988 gives you the option to press “3” to reach a counselor trained in LGBTQ cultural competence.
According to Mother Jonesthe service for LGBTQ youth has received 1.3 million calls, texts or chats since 2022.
In February, the program received an average of 2,100 contacts per day.
The country’s top suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ youth, Trevor Project, is one of seven subcontractors dealing with LGBTQ contacts, deals almost half of the contact volume of professional services.
Advocates argue that counselors trained in LGBTQ cultural competence are important because they connect with suffering youths, train them to use appropriate pronouns, and are sharply adapted to the specific challenges that LGBTQ youth may face.
Furthermore, it blocks political developments, including the Trump administration’s attempt to ban transgender individuals from the military, and blocks access to gender-affirming care; Prosecuting the teacher Those who support non-binary students can exacerbate the loneliness and disappointment of young people.
“I am deeply concerned that LGBTQ youth will be in crisis and see no one else helping them through it,” said Jansson Wu, director of advocacy and government affairs for the Trevor project. Mother Jones.
“I’m worried that LGBTQ young people will reach out to 988 and not receive a compassionate welcome on the other side. It will only deepen their crisis.”
According to 2022 Report From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second cause of deaths between the ages of 10-14 and between the ages of 25-34, and the third cause of deaths between the ages of 15-24.
According to Trevor ProjectLGBTQ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide compared to their straight or cisgender peers.
“Suicide prevention is about risk, not identity,” said Jaymes Black, CEO of the Trevor Project, in a statement. “When you close LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, you will not only remove access from millions of LGBTQ+ children and teens, but your lives will be at risk.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
