SAMHSA to shut down specialized 988 services for LGBTQ+ youth
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SAMHSA to shut down specialized 988 services for LGBTQ+ youth
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is ending specialized 988 services for LGBTQ+ youth. Senator Tammy Baldwin worked hard to stand up a special line for LGBTQ+. Baldwin: “We are losing too many of our kids to suicide, and it’s well past time we did something about it” SAMHSA: On July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the “Press 3 option,” to focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option. Everyone who contacts 988 will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counselors.
According to a press release from Senator Tammy Baldwin, the Trump Administration’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced their plans to shut down the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth in 30 days.
“I worked hard to stand up a special line for LGBTQ+ youth because we are losing too many of our kids to suicide, and it’s well past time we did something about it. Children facing dark times and even contemplating taking their life often have nowhere else to turn besides this 988 Lifeline, and the Trump Administration is cruelly and needlessly taking that away,” said Senator Baldwin. “During Pride Month, a time to celebrate the progress we’ve made, the Trump Administration is taking us a step back and telling LGBTQ+ kids that they don’t matter and don’t deserve help when they are in crisis. This is not the final chapter of this story, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect these children. Suicide prevention has been and should continue to be a nonpartisan issue, and I call on my Republican colleagues who have long supported this program to fight for these kids, too. The children and teens who rely on 988 need our help, and it’s our duty to protect this literal lifeline for hundreds of thousands before it’s too late,” Senator Baldwin said.
Senator Baldwin’s full statement is available HERE.
According to a statement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, on July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the “Press 3 option.”
Below is the full statement that SAMHSA posted on their website:
On July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the “Press 3 option,” to focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option. The Press 3 option was established as a pilot program in Fiscal Year 2022 under a government agreement with a third party. The Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus included a Congressional directive for $29.7 million to fund the specialized services. Federal funding in FY24 for the Press 3 services increased to $33 million. As of June 2025, more than $33 million in funds have been spent to support the subnetworks, fully expending the monies allocated for 988 Lifeline LGB+ subnetwork services. 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. Anyone who calls the Lifeline will continue to receive compassion and help.
Copyright 2025 WEAU. All rights reserved.
SAMHSA to shut down specialized 988 services for LGBTQ+ youth
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is ending specialized 988 services for LGBTQ+ youth. Senator Tammy Baldwin worked hard to stand up a special line for LGBTQ+. Baldwin: “We are losing too many of our kids to suicide, and it’s well past time we did something about it” SAMHSA: On July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the “Press 3 option,” to focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option. Everyone who contacts 988 will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counselors.
According to a press release from Senator Tammy Baldwin, the Trump Administration’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced their plans to shut down the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth in 30 days.
“I worked hard to stand up a special line for LGBTQ+ youth because we are losing too many of our kids to suicide, and it’s well past time we did something about it. Children facing dark times and even contemplating taking their life often have nowhere else to turn besides this 988 Lifeline, and the Trump Administration is cruelly and needlessly taking that away,” said Senator Baldwin. “During Pride Month, a time to celebrate the progress we’ve made, the Trump Administration is taking us a step back and telling LGBTQ+ kids that they don’t matter and don’t deserve help when they are in crisis. This is not the final chapter of this story, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect these children. Suicide prevention has been and should continue to be a nonpartisan issue, and I call on my Republican colleagues who have long supported this program to fight for these kids, too. The children and teens who rely on 988 need our help, and it’s our duty to protect this literal lifeline for hundreds of thousands before it’s too late,” Senator Baldwin said.
Senator Baldwin’s full statement is available HERE.
According to a statement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, on July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the “Press 3 option.”
Below is the full statement that SAMHSA posted on their website:
On July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the “Press 3 option,” to focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option. The Press 3 option was established as a pilot program in Fiscal Year 2022 under a government agreement with a third party. The Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus included a Congressional directive for $29.7 million to fund the specialized services. Federal funding in FY24 for the Press 3 services increased to $33 million. As of June 2025, more than $33 million in funds have been spent to support the subnetworks, fully expending the monies allocated for 988 Lifeline LGB+ subnetwork services. 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. Anyone who calls the Lifeline will continue to receive compassion and help.
Copyright 2025 WEAU. All rights reserved.
Source: https://www.weau.com/2025/06/18/samhsa-shut-down-specialized-988-services-lgbtq-youth/