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.
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.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
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 988lifeline.org.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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