End the Cruelty, Preserve Suicide Support (988) for LGBTQ Youth

The Trump administration’s elimination of the LGBTQ+ youth support line on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is both dangerous and indefensible. Since its launch in 2022, the “Press 3” option has received over 1.3 million calls, highlighting its necessity. LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers, and this line connects them with counselors trained to understand their struggles. SAMHSA’s claim that general counselors can fill this gap ignores research showing that culturally competent support can reduce suicide attempts among trans youth by 73%. This isn’t about efficiency—it’s a form of abandonment. Congress must act to protect this essential service because young lives are too valuable to politicize.