Proposed Budget Cuts Threaten LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health Services
A coalition of over 100 Congressional Democrats has voiced strong opposition to proposed budget cuts targeting crucial mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. These lawmakers have penned a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, expressing deep concern over the potential consequences of eliminating these specialized services, arguing that such cuts would disproportionately harm a vulnerable population already facing significant mental health challenges.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a nationwide network providing immediate support to individuals experiencing mental health crises, has become a vital resource since its inception. It has managed more than 13 million calls, texts, and chats from across the U.S. and its territories. This lifeline provides a critical service for veterans and non-English speakers, alongside the specialized support offered to LGBTQ+ young people. The lifeline was established through a bipartisan measure, signed into law by President Trump, demonstrating the widespread recognition of the need for accessible mental health support.
Individuals seeking mental or emotional health support can easily access the 988 lifeline, similar to calling 911. Once connected, they have the option to be directed to a counselor specially trained in LGBTQ+ youth support, ensuring that young people receive the tailored assistance they need.
However, these critical services are now under threat. The proposed budget cuts, first brought to light by The Washington Post, would significantly reduce the lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth services as part of a broader HHS overhaul. This restructuring effort aims to consolidate the agency’s numerous divisions into a smaller number of larger divisions, including the newly created Administration for a Healthy America. This initiative, championed by Secretary , carries the slogan "Make America Healthy Again."
The lawmakers’ letter underscores the gravity of the situation. They argue that eliminating mental health support for youth in distress would devastate a crucial resource for some of the nation’s most vulnerable young people. They further warn that this ill-advised plan undermines the 988 lifeline’s ability to provide tailored support for a population with a higher risk of suicide and will have lethal consequences if enacted.
The letter, signed by a diverse group of 109 members of Congress, highlights the bipartisan nature of support for mental health initiatives. The representatives emphasize that mental health crises do not recognize partisan differences, and therefore support for 988 and its specialized services has always been firmly bipartisan. They conclude by urging the Secretary to scrap this ill-advised plan, asserting that the nation’s children deserve nothing less.
This Congressional letter echoes a similar message delivered in early May by a group of Democratic senators, including Tammy Baldwin, Jeff Merkley, Elizabeth Warren, and Edward Markey.
The proposed cuts, slated to take effect in October, come at a particularly vulnerable time for LGBTQ+ youth, who are experiencing a spike in mental health issues. Some observers attribute this increase to heightened attacks on the community.
Of the 13 million calls, texts, and chats received by the lifeline, approximately 1.2 million have been directed to its LGBTQ+ Youth Hotline. According to The Trevor Project, one of the federally funded contact centers partnering with the lifeline to offer specialized support for LGBTQ+ young people, the frequency of these contacts has significantly increased in recent months.
Data from The Trevor Project, a national organization dedicated to suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people, reveals the stark reality facing this population. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among those aged 10 to 14 and the third leading cause for those aged 15 to 24. LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers. The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. seriously consider suicide each year.
The CEO of The Trevor Project, emphasizes that suicide prevention is about risk, not identity. Ending the lifeline’s specialized LGBTQ+ youth services, will strip away access from millions of LGBTQ+ kids and teens. It will put their lives at risk.
In response to the lawmakers’ letter, a spokesperson for HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) assured that all 988 services currently remain available and unaltered. The spokesperson reiterated that the 988 Lifeline offers 24/7 access to skilled, caring crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance misuse, or mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress.
The national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line were launched in July 2022 to assist people experiencing mental health, substance use, or suicidal crises. The service originated from the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to adopt 988 as a nationwide dialing code for people in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. President Trump later signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, incorporating the 988 lifeline into law.
The representatives’ letter emphasized that the 988 lifeline was intended to be a resource for any American experiencing mental distress. To a young person feeling alone and scared, 988 is truly a lifeline.
Community and mental health advocates echoed this sentiment. A psychologist who serves as chief medical officer for Iris Telehealth, highlighted the potential for the proposed cuts to exacerbate the stresses already faced by overloaded behavioral health resources. Patients are increasingly turning to emergency rooms and urgent care centers for mental health and addiction treatment, because waitlists for outpatient behavioral health services are very long.
He also noted that 988 has been a game-changer as a resource for people struggling with mental health and addiction issues. Should that option cease to exist or experience extended hold times because of inadequate staffing, more patients will call 911 or seek emergency-room care – not only the costliest option, but one with minimal access to quality mental health care.
Rachael Fried, executive director of Jewish Queer Youth (JQY), a New York-based mental health organization, said that eliminating the lifeline’s LGBTQ+ services would contribute to “an even greater loss of hope.” She believes that the administration’s proposal will have devastating and deadly consequences.
The CEO of the Trevor Project noted that a survey conducted in 2024 by his organization found that 40% of LGBTQ+ young people had seriously considered suicide in the past year, while 12% had attempted it. The organization urges Congress to defend its establishment of this data-based, bipartisan program to allow its life-saving services to continue for generations to come.
The plan is still in draft form and its final version will need Congressional approval.
