LGBTQ Youth Support Faces Challenges Following Program Changes
The Trump administration has directed state and mental health organizations to support LGBTQ youth as professional services under the national suicide and crisis hotline, 988, are cut. This decision is part of broader spending reductions and aims to dismantle existing diversity and inclusion programs.
Mark Henson, the vice president of government affairs at the Trevor Project, an organization focused on LGBTQ youth mental health, expressed concern over the accusations surrounding their initiatives. The Trevor Project handles a significant portion of calls and texts received by 988 from LGBTQ youth.
Since its inception in 1998, the Trevor Project has been dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for young people. In response to the recent changes, they launched the “Emergency Lifeline Campaign” after the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) announced that it would no longer focus specialized services for LGBTQ youth within the 988 framework.
The funds raised through this campaign will be crucial for maintaining support for LGBTQ+ youth, particularly as demand is expected to rise. Hiring new crisis counselors is a priority, especially given that many, if not most, existing staff will need to be maintained to handle increased demand.
Henson noted that federal funding had allowed the Trevor Project to double its capacity in three years since the 988 hotline was officially launched in 2022. President Trump established this hotline as a universal number for mental health emergencies back in 2020.
This initiative arose partly due to the alarming suicide rates among young LGBTQ individuals. SAMHSA has aimed to enhance support access for “callers who are LGBTQ youth, minority, rural individuals, or members of other high-risk populations.”
In fact, a 2024 report from the Trevor Project highlighted that 39% of LGBTQ Americans aged 13-24 had seriously considered suicide in the past year, with a striking 46% of transgender and non-binary youth reporting the same. Many also indicated they were unable to access needed mental health care.
Since its launch, the LGBTQ-specific services through 988 have processed approximately 1.5 million contacts, including calls and texts. Recent metrics showed as many as 70,000 critical engagements in a single month—marking a significant achievement.
Adrian Shanker, a senior adviser on LGBTQ health equity, pointed out the social factors that have heightened the demand for these services, making cuts especially detrimental at this time. Earlier in January, Trump signed a controversial executive order that made clear that only two genders—male and female—would be recognized, impacting various supportive services.
Last month, SAMHSA announced that it would discontinue the designation of “LGB+ Youth” and would omit “transgender” from its focus moving forward. This shift has raised considerable concerns among advocates.
Following the administration’s policy changes, an uptick in calls to the Trevor Project was observed—33% on the day of Trump’s inauguration. Activists suggest the push against transgender rights and diversity initiatives will likely continue to swell demand for mental health support.
Despite the administration’s contentions that overall funding remains stable, Henson fears that reduced staff will lead to increased wait times, particularly concerning given the urgency of callers in crisis.
Critics assert that the Trump administration is undermining trust in public health initiatives. Shanker lamented the challenge of rebuilding that trust, iterating the importance of continued support for LGBTQ youth seeking help.
A coalition of over 100 legislators has protested the termination of specialized LGBTQ services. Pleas for Congressional intervention to preserve the 988 hotline’s LGBTQ-focused support channels are in motion.
In Los Angeles, efforts are underway to maintain LGBTQ crisis services through local partnerships, while New York City has seen protests against the hotline’s cuts, with job losses expected for crisis workers as a result of these decisions.
Henson expressed sadness over experienced crisis intervention staff being let go, emphasizing the emotional toll on those dedicated to supporting LGBTQ youth. He noted that losing the opportunity to aid vulnerable individuals is a significant loss for the community.
