Youth's Lives Every Day
July 17, 2025 – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has officially terminated the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program. Starting today, contacts who reach out to the 988 Lifeline will no longer have the option to “press 3,” “text PRIDE,” or connect via online chat to a counselor who is trained in supporting LGBTQ+ young people under age 25.
Since 2022, the 988 Lifeline has provided evidence-backed, specialized services to the country’s highest risk groups for suicide, including veterans and LGBTQ+ youth. As of today, this federal program that has provided best-practice crisis services to an estimated 1.5 million LGBTQ+ young people will no longer be available.
The Trevor Project’s CEO, Jaymes Black, released the following statement in response:
“It’s hard to find the words today. Our country’s federal government — including the very agency in charge of protecting our mental health — cut a literal lifeline that has provided 1.5 million LGBTQ+ youth with suicide prevention services. It is unfathomable.
This administration has made a dangerous decision to play politics with real young people’s lives. The 988 Lifeline’s Specialized Services Program was created to serve Americans at highest risk for suicide — including veterans and LGBTQ+ youth — with best-practice crisis care that meets these populations’ unique needs. The program was created with overwhelming bipartisan support because, despite our political differences, we should all agree that every young person’s life is worth saving. I am heartbroken that this administration has decided to say, loudly and clearly, that they believe some young people’s lives are not worth saving.
I want every LGBTQ+ young person to know that you are worthy, valued, and loved exactly as you are. No matter what the federal government says or does, you have millions of people — all across the country — in your corner, and we are here to support you, always.
In response to this devastating news, The Trevor Project has witnessed an outpouring of support — coming from our allies, partners, donors, peer organizations, celebrities, lawmakers, and more. We are immensely grateful to those who continue to show up to support our work and the young people we serve. We are also immeasurably grateful to the crisis counselors and staff members — whom we are being forced to let go in the wake of this news — for their tireless efforts supporting and protecting LGBTQ+ youth.
This is hard, but we are far from defeated. Nothing — and I mean nothing — will stop us from working toward a world where every LGBTQ+ young person feels safe, seen, and supported exactly as they are.”
In response to this news, The Trevor Project recommends individuals take the following actions to support LGBTQ+ youth:
- Donate to The Trevor Project’s Emergency Lifeline Campaign for LGBTQ+ Youth
- Join the over 50,000 people who’ve signed The Trevor Project’s petition to protect the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth
- Subscribe to The Trevor Project’s email newsletter to receive the latest news and updates on supporting LGBTQ+ young people
Important clarifications about this closure:
- The Trevor Project’s free and confidential crisis services will continue to be available 24/7 for any LGBTQ+ young person who needs support by calling 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.
- Despite misinformation spreading on social media, there is no new Canadian suicide prevention lifeline that supports American LGBTQ+ youth.
- Starting July 17th, those who contact the 988 Lifeline no longer have the option to connect to LGBTQ+ youth specialized services – previously available by “pressing 3,” “texting PRIDE,” or checking a box to connect with an “LGBTQI trained crisis counselor” via 988’s pre-chat survey.
