1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Please support the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act. This crucial bipartisan legislation aims to codify specialized services within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, addressing a critical gap in our mental health support system. The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated. Since 2022, the specialized LGBTQ+ youth services of the 988 lifeline have received over 1.5 million crisis contacts, demonstrating the dire need for these resources. Alarmingly, nearly 40% of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered suicide, a statistic that demands our immediate attention and action. The 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allocate sufficient resources to establish, re-establish, operate, and maintain these specialized services, ensuring that vulnerable youth have access to the support they desperately need. I strongly urge you to not only vote in favor of this bill but to actively champion its passage. Additionally, I implore you to work towards expanding access to healthcare and mental healthcare services more broadly. By increasing accessibility, we can ensure that more individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, can receive the care they need. Your support for the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act and efforts to expand mental healthcare access will demonstrate your commitment to the well-being of all constituents, particularly those most vulnerable. Act now to protect our youth.