US LGBTQ+ suicide hotline to shut in July

Perth Now

6 hours ago

NOTE: THIS STORY CONTAINS REFERENCES TO SUICIDE
US President Donald Trump's administration is ending funding for an LGBTQ+ suicide prevention hotline it says encourages 'radical gender ideologies'.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifelife would close its LGBTQ+ Youth Specialised Services program on July 17.
In September 2022, the lifeline launched the program to specifically address the needs of LGBTQ+ Americans under age 25, by providing services with a counsellor trained to support LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.
In March 2023, the program expanded to 24/7 services. The lifeline has been helping LGBTQ+ individuals since 2022 Credit: Supplied
SAMSHA data shows more than 1.2 million LGBTQ+ people have contacted the hotline between its creation in September 2022 and February 2025.
A spokesperson for the White House Office of Budget said funding would continue for the wider suicide prevention hotline.
'The president's Budget funds the 988 at $520 million – the same number as under (former President Joe) Biden'.
'It does not, however, grant taxpayer money to a chat service where children are encouraged to embrace radical gender ideology by 'counsellors' without consent or knowledge of their parents,' the spokesperson said.
The Trevor Project, a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention amongst LGBTQ+ youth, was providing support for the specialised program. Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black Credit: The Trevor Project
Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black said the organisation had received notice of the program ending on Wednesday and that the development is devastating.
'Suicide prevention is about people, not politics'.
'The administration's decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible'.
The Trevor Project will continue to run its 24/7 mental health support services.
A 2023 US national survey found LGBTQ+ youth are at a higher risk of suicide, with 41% seriously considering suicide within the past year.
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