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AUSTIN, Texas — A part of the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline geared toward helping LGBTQ+ youth will soon end.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) made the announcement this week after a leaked budget draft showed the federal government planned to cut funding for the specialized program.
The “Press 3 option” when a person called the 988 suicide prevention lifeline was specifically catered to young LGBTQ+ people. While that choice will be shutdown on July 17, the agency said the general hotline will remain open to everyone.
In a news release, SAMHSA said, “Everyone who contacts the 988 Lifeline will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counselors who can help with suicidal, substance misuse, or mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress.”
SAMHSA data showed that more than 1.2 million people in the LGBTQ+ community called the specialized hotline in the last three years.
Justin Galicz is the co-owner at The Little Gay Shop in East Austin. He said the decision from the Trump administration was not surprising.
“It makes us really sad to see resources being stripped and taken away from our community, in a community that really needs it now more than ever,” Galicz said. “It’s way easier to scapegoat us than it is to, you know, address some of the actual issues in the world.”
Rev. Dr. Mary Wilson is part of ChrysalisQ, which officers services for children and families within the LGBTQ+ community. Wilson echoed Galicz’s statement about not being shocked by the move, but added that this is damaging to a community that is already so vulnerable.
“It’s just a reminder that it is important for those of us who are part of the LGBTQ community to support one another,” Wilson said.
Despite the specialized hotline ending, there are other outlets LGBTQ+ youth in need can reach out to, such as the Trevor Project’s specialized 24/7 crisis services at 1-866-488-7386.