Introduction to the Crisis
The national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provided specialized mental health support to LGBTQ+ youth, has ceased to offer its dedicated "Press 3" option. This decision, announced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a month prior, aimed to eliminate "siloes" in services and instead focus on serving all help seekers. However, this move has been met with concern and criticism from advocates for LGBTQ+ youth, who argue that the specialized support provided by the "Press 3" option is crucial for young people facing mental health issues, including anxiety and thoughts of suicide.
The Impact of the Decision
The elimination of the "Press 3" option has sparked fears among LGBTQ+ advocates that the general 988 line may not be equipped to provide the necessary support and context for youth experiencing crises related to their sexuality and gender. Call-takers on the general line may not have the specialized training that staff on the "Press 3" line had, which could prevent trust from being built with the youth in crisis. According to Becca Nordeen, senior vice president of crisis intervention at The Trevor Project, a national suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth, "Since the election, we’ve seen a clear increase in young people feeling devalued, erased, uncertain about their future, and seeing resources taken away."
State Responses to the Crisis
In response to the elimination of the "Press 3" option, several states, including California, Colorado, Illinois, and Nevada, are taking steps to backfill LGBTQ+ crisis support. These efforts include providing training for crisis counselors, increasing outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, and exploring additional financial options to fill the gap. For example, California has partnered with The Trevor Project to provide training on LGBTQ+ youth issues for crisis counselors in the state. Colorado is increasing outreach to let the public know that the general 988 service is still available and that its call-takers welcome calls from the LGBTQ+ population.
The Importance of Specialized Support
The use of the dedicated line for LGBTQ+ youth had steadily increased since its rollout in October 2022, with nearly 1.6 million calls, texts, or online chats. The Press 3 option reached record monthly highs in May and June, and contacts to the line peaked in November 2024, the month of the election. This highlights the importance of specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth, who are disproportionately at risk of suicide. According to a 2023 survey, about 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously consider attempting suicide each year, including roughly half of transgender and nonbinary young people.
Federal Response to the Crisis
The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has not responded to questions about why the Press 3 option was shut down. However, spokesperson Rachel Cauley told NBC News that the department’s budget would not "grant taxpayer money to a chat service where children are encouraged to embrace radical gender ideology by ‘counselors’ without consent or knowledge of their parents." Federal lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have spoken out against the closure of the LGBTQ+ 988 option and urged that it be reinstated.
Conclusion
The elimination of the "Press 3" option has left a significant gap in support for LGBTQ+ youth, who are already disproportionately at risk of suicide. While states are taking steps to backfill this gap, it is crucial that the federal government reinstates the specialized support provided by the "Press 3" option. The lives of LGBTQ+ youth depend on it. As Rep. Mike Lawler said, "What we must agree on is that when a child is in crisis — when they are alone, when they are afraid, when they are unsure of where to turn to, when they are contemplating suicide — they need access to help right away."
FAQs
- Q: What was the "Press 3" option?
- A: The "Press 3" option was a dedicated line on the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that provided specialized mental health support to LGBTQ+ youth.
- Q: Why was the "Press 3" option eliminated?
- A: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced that it would no longer "silo" services and would instead focus on serving all help seekers.
- Q: What are the consequences of eliminating the "Press 3" option?
- A: The elimination of the "Press 3" option has left a significant gap in support for LGBTQ+ youth, who are already disproportionately at risk of suicide.
- Q: What are states doing to backfill the gap in support?
- A: Several states, including California, Colorado, Illinois, and Nevada, are taking steps to provide training for crisis counselors, increase outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, and explore additional financial options to fill the gap.
- Q: What can individuals do to support LGBTQ+ youth?
- A: Individuals can support LGBTQ+ youth by advocating for the reinstatement of the "Press 3" option, volunteering with organizations that provide support to LGBTQ+ youth, and donating to organizations that provide critical services to this community.
By Annie Sciacca, KFF Health News
- A: Individuals can support LGBTQ+ youth by advocating for the reinstatement of the "Press 3" option, volunteering with organizations that provide support to LGBTQ+ youth, and donating to organizations that provide critical services to this community.
