WASHINGTON, D.C. — Active Minds is deeply concerned by the recent decision to discontinue the LGBTQ+ subnetwork of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, known as the “Press 3 option.” This decision represents a significant and dangerous step backward in our collective commitment to prioritizing mental health for all young people and will result in the termination of a vital support system for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults by July 17.
At a time when we are facing an escalating youth mental health crisis, we need to lean into the evidence-based solutions that work. According to data from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 41% of LGBTQ+ high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, compared to 13% of their cisgender and heterosexual peers. LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges and suicidal ideation, often driven by systemic discrimination, identity-based violence, and social isolation, making specialized, culturally competent crisis services not only beneficial, but essential.
The “Press 3” option was created in recognition of this critical need, providing identity-affirming support from trained counselors who understand the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ young people. These services are not arbitrary; they were established to provide culturally competent, identity-affirming support that general crisis lines are often unequipped to deliver. Eliminating this specialized support will cost lives.
The fact that this announcement was made during Pride Month makes it especially pointed. Particularly alarming is the omission of the “T” from the “LGBTQ+” acronym in its public messaging dismissing an entire identity, an identity that has historically faced disproportionately high rates of mental health concerns; especially among younger trans and nonbinary individuals. Data from The Trevor Project shows that transgender and nonbinary youth are two to two-and-a-half times more likely than their cisgender LGBTQ+ peers to experience depression, consider suicide, or make an attempt. Taking away the “Press 3 option” created to provide affirming, identity-understanding care poses a direct threat to the lives and wellbeing of especially vulnerable youth.
As the nation’s leading nonprofit mobilizing youth and young adults to improve mental health norms for all, Active Minds calls on lawmakers and constituents to take action. We encourage Congress to restore funding for identity-affirming crisis services and ensure all crisis counselors are equipped to serve LGBTQ+ youth with empathy and competence.
Every young person deserves access to mental health care that is safe, responsive, and tailored to their lived experience. Our movement has always been about amplifying diverse voices of youth and young adults positioning them to change how mental health is valued and prioritized. The voices of these trailblazers are clear: specialized mental health support saves lives, and no young person should ever be left behind.
Now is the time to take action and here is what our youth and young adult network is doing:
- Learning about upcoming state and federal legislative efforts aimed at protecting mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults; engagement is essential to ensure these vital services are preserved and expanded.
- Becoming legislative advocates with Active Minds and joining us and our partners in the fight for mental health equity at every level of government and community.
- Mobilizing as advocates, allies, and community members against this harmful decision by signing The Trevor Project’s national petition here: Protect the 988 Lifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth.
We will continue to uplift the voices and stories of LGBTQ+ youth and advocate for mental health systems that recognize, respect, and protect every person, and champion a new era of mental health that truly values and prioritizes the wellbeing of all youth.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available.
For LGBTQ+ youth, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7:
- Call 1-866-488-7386
- Chat at trvr.org/get-help
- Text START to 678678
