The LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Line Saves Lives—Don’t Let It Disappear

Overview of the Crisis Line and Proposed Shutdown I am writing as your constituent to express deep concern over the decision by the Trump administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to eliminate the “Press 3” option from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This LGBTQ+–affirming service, scheduled to be discontinued on July 17, connects young people in crisis with trained counselors who understand the specific forms of trauma many LGBTQ+ youth experience, including family rejection, bullying, isolation, housing insecurity, and identity-based discrimination. The loss of this dedicated support structure could leave many callers without access to life-saving mental health care at the moment they need it most. Why This Service Matters Since its launch in 2022, the “Press 3” option has handled more than 1.3 million calls, texts, and chats. According to The Trevor Project, nearly half of all LGBTQ+ youth who reach out for help now do so through this option. For many, it is the first and only time they speak to someone who sees them clearly, treats them respectfully, and provides nonjudgmental, culturally competent support. These trauma-informed services are not redundant; they are essential. They address real disparities in suicide risk, mental health outcomes, and access to affirming care. LGBTQ+ youth are over four times as likely to attempt suicide as their non-LGBTQ+ peers, and they often avoid general crisis lines due to past experiences of dismissal, invalidation, or misunderstanding. Request for Oversight and Transparency I respectfully urge you to call for immediate oversight hearings to examine the rationale and process behind this decision. Before dismantling a proven, life-saving resource, the public deserves full transparency, accountability, and a clear explanation of the potential consequences. A Moral Obligation to Protect Vulnerable Youth Protecting access to affirming mental health care for vulnerable youth is not only responsible policy—it is a moral obligation. I strongly urge you to act now and speak up in defense of this critical service.