Latest news with #NationalSuicideHotlineDesignationAct
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pedro Pascal, Dua Lipa, Daniel Radcliffe among celebs calling on Trump to preserve funding for LGBTQ suicide hotline
More than 100 celebrities across the entertainment industry are calling on President Trump's administration to protect an LGBTQ youth crisis service's funding amid broader spending cuts. An internal budget document first reported by The Washington Post would eliminate specialized services for LGBTQ youth who contact 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a proposal that would have 'devastating, life-threatening consequences for young people across the country,' reads an open letter organized and published Monday by the Trevor Project, a nonprofit group that responds to roughly half of 988's calls and texts from LGBTQ youth. 'As artists, creators, and public figures, our platforms come with responsibility. And today, that responsibility is clear: we must speak out to protect the mental health and lives of LGBTQ+ youth. We will not stay silent,' states the letter, with signatures from actors Pedro Pascal, Daniel Radcliffe, Margaret Cho and Sarah Paulson. Musicians, including Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Diplo and Dua Lipa also signed, alongside notable figures including influencer Dylan Mulvaney, celebrity chef Amanda Freitag and Carl Nassib, a former defensive lineman and the first NFL player to publicly come out as gay. 'This is about people, not politics,' the letter states. 'At a time of deep division, let this be something we as people can all agree on: no young person should be left without help in their darkest moment. Stripping away this lifeline leaves LGBTQ+ youth with the message that their lives are not worth saving. We refuse to accept that message. We call on the administration and Congress to do the right thing: restore and protect funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.' 'We rise together — loudly and determined — for hope, for dignity, and for every LGBTQ+ young person to know that their lives are worthy and that there will always be someone on the other end of the line,' the letter states. The White House did not immediately return a request for comment. The service for LGBTQ youth has received nearly 1.3 million calls, texts and online chat messages since its launch in 2022, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In February, the program received an average of 2,100 crisis contacts daily. More than 100 House Democrats — and two Republicans, in a separate letter — have also urged the Trump administration to spare 988's specialized services for LGBTQ youth from funding cuts, arguing that such a move would have 'lethal consequences if enacted.' The proposed cuts, which need approval from Congress, would not take effect until October. Trump signed the bipartisan National Suicide Hotline Designation Act in October 2020, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline officially launched in 2022 under former President Biden's administration. Congress increased funding for the hotline's LGBTQ youth specialized services last year on a bipartisan basis. 'I am deeply grateful to the influential voices in entertainment who are speaking out and reminding the public that suicide prevention is about people – not politics,' Jaymes Black, the Trevor Project's CEO, said in a statement on Monday. 'LGBTQ+ young people disproportionately experience rejection, stigma, and discrimination, and are navigating a world that too often tells them they don't belong. We must send a louder message back: millions of people are fighting for you to lead the happy, healthy lives you deserve,' Black said. A report released by the group last year found that 39 percent of LGBTQ 13- to 24-year-olds in the U.S. considered suicide over the past year, including 46 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth. Half of LGBTQ young people who wanted mental health care said they were unable to access it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Pedro Pascal, Dua Lipa, Daniel Radcliffe among celebs calling on Trump to preserve funding for LGBTQ suicide hotline
More than 100 celebrities across the entertainment industry are calling on President Trump's administration to protect an LGBTQ youth crisis service's funding amid broader spending cuts. An internal budget document first reported by The Washington Post would eliminate specialized services for LGBTQ youth who contact 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a proposal that would have 'devastating, life-threatening consequences for young people across the country,' reads an open letter organized and published Monday by the Trevor Project, a nonprofit group that responds to roughly half of 988's calls and texts from LGBTQ youth. 'As artists, creators, and public figures, our platforms come with responsibility. And today, that responsibility is clear: we must speak out to protect the mental health and lives of LGBTQ+ youth. We will not stay silent,' states the letter, with signatures from actors Pedro Pascal, Daniel Ratcliffe, Margaret Cho and Sarah Paulson. Musicians, including Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Diplo and Dua Lipa also signed, alongside notable figures including influencer Dylan Mulvaney, celebrity chef Amanda Freitag and Carl Nassib, a former defensive lineman and the first NFL player to publicly come out as gay. 'This is about people, not politics,' the letter states. 'At a time of deep division, let this be something we as people can all agree on: no young person should be left without help in their darkest moment. Stripping away this lifeline leaves LGBTQ+ youth with the message that their lives are not worth saving. We refuse to accept that message. We call on the administration and Congress to do the right thing: restore and protect funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.' 'We rise together — loudly and determined — for hope, for dignity, and for every LGBTQ+ young person to know that their lives are worthy and that there will always be someone on the other end of the line,' the letter states. The White House did not immediately return a request for comment. The service for LGBTQ youth has received nearly 1.3 million calls, texts and online chat messages since its launch in 2022, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In February, the program received an average of 2,100 crisis contacts daily. More than 100 House Democrats — and two Republicans, in a separate letter — have also urged the Trump administration to spare 988's specialized services for LGBTQ youth from funding cuts, arguing that such a move would have 'lethal consequences if enacted.' The proposed cuts, which need approval from Congress, would not take effect until October. Trump signed the bipartisan National Suicide Hotline Designation Act in October 2020, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline officially launched in 2022 under former President Biden's administration. Congress increased funding for the hotline's LGBTQ youth specialized services last year on a bipartisan basis. 'I am deeply grateful to the influential voices in entertainment who are speaking out and reminding the public that suicide prevention is about people – not politics,' Jaymes Black, the Trevor Project's CEO, said in a statement on Monday. 'LGBTQ+ young people disproportionately experience rejection, stigma, and discrimination, and are navigating a world that too often tells them they don't belong. We must send a louder message back: millions of people are fighting for you to lead the happy, healthy lives you deserve,' Black said. A report released by the group last year found that 39 percent of LGBTQ 13- to 24-year-olds in the U.S. considered suicide over the past year, including 46 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth. Half of LGBTQ young people who wanted mental health care said they were unable to access it.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ariana Grande, Pedro Pascal, Daniel Radcliffe, Sabrina Carpenter & Other Big Names Sign Letter To Protect Funding For LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention
More than 100 celebrities from across the entertainment industry have signed a letter calling for the protection of funding for a federal program that provides emergency crisis support to LGBTQ+ youth considering suicide. The Trevor Project said today that it is at risk of losing $25 million in funding for its 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services. The list of signatories includes Ariana Grande, Pedro Pascal, Daniel Radcliffe, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter, Cara Delevingne, Christina Aguilera, Troye Sivan, Sarah Paulson, Nathan Lane, Alan Cumming, Kelsea Ballerini, Tove Lo, Sophia Bush, Josh Hutcherson, Jonathan Van Ness, and many more across film, music, TV, sports, theatre, comedy, fashion, culinary arts, and book publishing. More from Deadline Trump Celebrity Supporters: Famous Folks In Favor Of The 47th President Two-Time Palme D'Or Winner Ken Loach Shares Open Letter Remembering Palestinian Journalist Fatima Hassouna & Calls For An End To The Violence In Gaza Michael Ausiello's Unproduced Childhood Soap Opera Sets Star-Studded Cast For Live Reading To Benefit The Trevor Project The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act was signed into law in October 2020 by President Donald Trump. See the letter and signatories below. 'I am deeply grateful to the influential voices in entertainment who are speaking out and reminding the public that suicide prevention is about people — not politics,' said Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project. 'It is clinical best practice for highly trained counselors to provide competent care to high-risk communities, including LGBTQ+ youth and veterans. LGBTQ+ young people disproportionately experience rejection, stigma, and discrimination, and are navigating a world that too often tells them they don't belong. We must send a louder message back: millions of people are fighting for you to lead the happy, healthy lives you deserve.' Here is the full letter and list of those who have signed it. The Trevor Project notes that the letter will remain open and the list names will continue to be updated: We are heartbroken by the proposal to eliminate federal funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services — a move that will have devastating, life-threatening consequences for young people across the country. As artists, creators, and public figures, our platforms come with responsibility. And today, that responsibility is clear: we must speak out to protect the mental health and lives of LGBTQ+ youth. We will not stay its launch in 2022, this program has connected nearly 1.3 million crisis contacts with life-saving, affirming care to LGBTQ+ young people during their most vulnerable moments. Suicide among LGBTQ+ youth is a public health crisis, and it should be treated as such. LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people in the United States seriously consider suicide each year — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 is about people, not politics. At a time of deep division, let this be something we as people can all agree on: no young person should be left without help in their darkest moment. Stripping away this lifeline leaves LGBTQ+ youth with the message that their lives are not worth saving. We refuse to accept that message. We call on the administration and Congress to do the right thing: restore and protect funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. We also recognize the consequential impact we can have on showing LGBTQ+ young people possibility models. Telling stories about the diverse tapestry of humanity is what makes art powerful, and representation can be life-saving. At this moment, LGBTQ+ youth are hearing messages that question and criticize their identities and their existence. We must show them that there are still so many people fighting for their every LGBTQ+ young person reading this: you are not alone. We see you. We value you. You have the right to feel safe, supported, and loved exactly as you are. You deserve access to life-saving services that honor your humanity. You may be hurting. You may be scared. You may feel like no one hears you — but we do. We will keep showing up and speaking out. We will not stop fighting for rise together — loudly and determined — for hope, for dignity, and for every LGBTQ+ young person to know that their lives are worthy and that there will always be someone on the other end of the can join us by signing The Trevor Project's petition at Solidarity,Alan CummingAlokAmber MarkAmrit KapaiAriana GrandeAtsuko OkatsukaBea MillerBenito SkinnerBlondshellBob the Drag QueenBobby BerkBraunwyn Windham SpinnerBrian AtwoodCara DelevingneCarl NassibChef Amanda FreitagChris AppletonChristina AguileraColton UnderwoodConor OberstDaniel K. IsaacDaniel MartinDaniel RadcliffeDarren CrissDashaDavid ArchuletaDiploDua LipaDwyane WadeDylan AdlerDylan MulvaneyDyllón BurnsideEmily SimpsonErezEstelleEthel CainEugene Lee YangFletcherFrankie GrandeGabrielle Union-WadeGayleGia woodsGus KenworthyHaute & FreddyHeather DubrowHenry RussellHunter DoohanHunx and His PunxJake ShaneJamie Lee CurtisJay JurdenJazzelleJon KungJonathan Van NessJordan DowwJosh HutchersonJosie TotahJulia MichaelsKelsea BalleriniKevin MaxenKing PrincessLarry OwensLauren TheobaldLucy RosiekMargaret ChoMargaret JosephsMarinaMaybe BurkeMayowaMelissa KingMichael CudlitzMichols PeñaMiss BennyMØNatasha LeggeroNathan LaneNina WestOliver SimOrville PeckPaul FeigPaulie CalafiorePedro PascalQuintessa SwindellRickey ThompsonRobbie CouchRonnie WooSabrina Carpentersarah paulsonSG LewisShannon and The ClamsSophia BushSutton StrackeSymoneTerry DubrowTove LoTroye SivanTX2Tyler OakleyVincintVinny ThomasYumi NuBest of Deadline Everything We Know About 'Stranger Things' Season 5 So Far 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Is Trump Shutting Down LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline? What We Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Trump administration is reportedly planning to eliminate the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth. The administration would cut all funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services, according to a leaked budget draft first reported on by The Washington Post. If approved, the cuts would go into effect in October. Newsweek has contacted the White House Office of Management and Budget for comment via email. A sign for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline mental health emergency hotline in Walnut Creek, California, on December 20, 2024. A sign for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline mental health emergency hotline in Walnut Creek, California, on December 20, 2024. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Why It Matters LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, making specialized mental health support services a critical lifeline. Advocates warn that cuts would halt lifesaving services that many LGBTQ+ youth have relied on. What to Know President Donald Trump signed the bipartisan National Suicide Hotline Designation Act into law in 2020, designating 988 as the universal number to connect people experiencing mental health crises to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 helpline, designed to be as easy to remember as the emergency line 911 and offer easier access to mental health support, launched in 2022. Shortly afterward, callers were given the option of pressing 3 to be connected to counselors specifically trained to help LGBTQ+ youth. There are also other specialized options for veterans and Spanish speakers. According to CNN, the leaked budget draft includes $10 million for specialized services for Spanish speakers but eliminates the funds set aside for specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth. Since July 2022, more than 14.5 million people have called, texted or sent chats to 988 and have been transferred to a crisis contact center, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. More than 1.2 million people have been routed to the LGBTQ+ specialized service since September 2022. The Trevor Project, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing suicides among LGBTQ+ youth, said it responded to almost half of the calls and texts from LGBTQ+ youth through the program. The organization added that it directly served more than 231,000 people through the program in 2024 and trained and supported almost 250 crisis counselors and operational support staff. What People Are Saying Jaymes Black, the CEO of the Trevor Project said in a statement: "Suicide prevention is about risk, not identity. Ending the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ youth specialized services will not just strip away access from millions of LGBTQ+ kids and teens—it will put their lives at risk. These programs were implemented to address a proven, unprecedented, and ongoing mental health crisis among our nation's young people with strong bipartisan support in Congress and signed into law by President Trump himself. "I want to be clear to all LGBTQ+ young people: This news, while upsetting, is not final. And regardless of federal funding shifts, The Trevor Project remains available 24/7 for anyone who needs us, just as we always have." Robert Gebbia, the CEO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said in a statement: "We understand that funding may be eliminated for 988 LGBTQ+ specialized services, and we urge the administration to continue its existing support for crisis services, including those for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. These crisis response services are effective and save young lives." What Happens Next The next federal budget cycle is scheduled to begin on October 1, when any changes to the funding for 988 specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth would go into effect. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Trump wants to slash suicide lifeline for LGBT+ kids – despite it being the second biggest cause of death for American youth
A leaked federal government budget draft would eliminate services for LGBT+ youth who call a national suicide and crisis hotline that reaches thousands of young Americans every month. Under a budget plan from the Department of Health and Human Services, Donald Trump's administration would slash all funding for 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services, a federal program that runs the '988' phone line and connects callers with counselors and other services. The budget draft, first reported by The Washington Post, would go into effect October 1 if approved by Congress. Since its launch in 2022, the 988 crisis line has provided more than 1.2 million people with life-saving, LGBTQ+-inclusive crisis services, according to The Trevor Project, which responds to nearly half of all calls and texts to 988 from LGBT+ young people. Last year, The Trevor Project alone directly served more than 231,000 people through the program. The service for LGBT+ youth has received more than 1.3 million calls, texts or chats since 2022. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds. The leading cause of death among young people is gun violence. LGBT+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, according to The Trevor Project, which estimates roughly 1.8 million young LGBT+ Americans seriously consider suicide every year, and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds. 'Suicide prevention is about risk, not identity,' Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black said in a statement. Ending services for LGBT+ youth through the crisis line 'will not just strip away access from millions of LGBTQ+ kids and teens – it will put their lives at risk,' Black said. 'These programs were implemented to address a proven, unprecedented, and ongoing mental health crisis among our nation's young people with strong bipartisan support in Congress and signed into law by President Trump himself.' In 2020, during his first term in office, Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act into law, establishing the number 988 as a crisis hotline. The Trevor Project was initially the only provider supporting LGBT+ people through the hotline during a pilot phase in 2022. People calling or texting the number can 'press three' or 'reply pride' to connect with counselors specifically trained to support LGBT+ people up to age 25. If the budget is approved, there would no longer be an option for LGBT+ youth to connect with counselors trained to support them. A proposed budget would continue to fund the lifeline at 2024 levels, but it 'eliminates the 2024 Congressionally-directed set-aside within the 988 for Specialized Services for LGBTQ+ Youth,' according to the draft. The Independent has requested comment from HHS. 'In effect, the loss of this funding would result in a loss of resources we rely on to hire, train, and support crisis counselors – and to reach LGBTQ+ youth across the country amid growing demand for these life-saving services,' Janson Wu, The Trevor Project's vice president of advocacy and government affairs said in a statement to The Independent. Within his first days in office, the president signed several executive orders directly targeting LGBT+ Americans, including explicitly removing federal recognition of transgender people and upending civil rights protections intended to combat LGBT+ discrimination. The administration has also upended access to gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth and moved to block trans athletes from competing in women's sports. Trump also directed the Department of Defense to remove trans service members from all branches of the military. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
