Senators Introduce Bill to Reinstates LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Lifeline Eliminated by Trump Administration

Strategic Insights -

A specialized suicide crisis lifeline that connected LGBTQ+ youth with counselors in moments of crisis has been eliminated by the Trump administration, leaving a void for young LGBTQ+ people with nowhere to turn, according to two U.S. senators. Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, will introduce legislation to reinstate the lifeline and dedicate funding toward re-establishing the program. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline originally launched in 2005, offering immediate support to people experiencing a suicidal crisis, and the subnetwork serving LGBTQ+ young people launched as a pilot program in 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration eliminated funding for the specialized LGBTQ+ lifeline on July 17, despite calls for its continuation, including a letter signed by 100 Congressional Democrats warning that terminating the program would have "lethal consequences."
  • The LGBTQ+ lifeline served nearly 1.6 million young people since its inception, with an increasing number of contacts each year, according to the HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
  • Advocates say the LGBTQ+ lifeline is necessary to address the unique experience and needs of LGBTQ+ young people, who are more at risk of suicidal ideation than their peers, with research showing they are three times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
  • The bill, 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act, would direct the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to dedicate funding toward re-establishing, operating and maintaining the program.
  • Companion legislation will be introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois; Sharice Davids, D-Kansas; Seth Moulton, D-Massachusetts; Mike Lawler, R-New York; and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania.
  • The national nonprofit Trevor Project was one of seven federally funded contact centers that partnered with the 988 lifeline to offer LGBTQ+-focused support, fielding about half of the line's overall calls.

Statistics:

  • 90% of LGBTQ+ youth say increasing political rhetoric targeting the community has negatively affected their mental health, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
  • 42% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously consider suicide every year, according to the Trevor Project's 2024 annual survey.
  • The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline received 3.4 million contacts in 2022, including calls, chats, and texts, according to the HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Sources:

  • "Senators to introduce bill to reinstate LGBTQ+ youth crisis lifeline" by Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY
  • "Letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed by 100 Congressional Democrats" (no date provided)
  • "2024 Annual Survey" by The Trevor Project
  • "Statement by Rachel Cauley, spokesperson for the White House's Office of Management and Budget" (June)
  • "Statement by Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network" (no date provided)
  • "Companion legislation" by Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Sharice Davids, Seth Moulton, Mike Lawler, and Brian Fitzpatrick (no date provided)