Removal of specialized LGBTQ+ support from 988 hotline sparks concern
Option three, which serves LGBTQ+ kids and young adults, will no longer be available after mid-July.
Author: Abby Davis
Published: 11:01 PM MDT June 19, 2025
Updated: 11:01 PM MDT June 19, 2025
BOISE, Idaho — LGBTQ+ youth and young adults nationwide, including those in Idaho, will soon lose access to specialized crisis support when they call 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
"This is heartbreaking news," said Casey Pick, The Trevor Project director of law and policy.
The nonprofit is one of seven centers that provides 988 crisis support services for the community. In total, Pick said the program has helped 1.3 million callers around the country.
Starting in mid-July, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will "no longer silo" the services and will focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the option, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The administration, which is under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provided a comment to KTVB regarding the lifeline.
An HHS spokesperson told KTVB that the 'Press 3' option has run out of Congressionally directed funding. The option is managed by a third-party service outside of the federal government. Additionally, the spokesperson added that the 988 Lifeline will continue "to be a direct connection to immediate support for all Americans, regardless of their circumstances. It is a resource for anyone in crisis. That has not changed."
The federal government rolled out the national suicide and crisis lifeline three years ago as a simple, three-digit number for people in crisis. Since then, LGBTQ+ youth who selected option three have been connected to a counselor with specialized training.
"If you're in Idaho and you press three, you have a better than 50% chance that you're connected to the Trevor Project," Pick said.
Shannon Decker, The Speedy Foundation executive director, called the move "targeted." The local nonprofit works to raise mental health awareness.
"When are they getting rid of the veterans service line," she said. "When are we getting rid of that one ... that meets the demands of incredible individuals?
Decker said option three is especially important considering how many LGBTQ+ people struggle with their mental health.
Data from The Trevor Project shows 38% of LGBTQ+ young people in Idaho seriously considered suicide in the last year, and 12% attempted suicide.
"If their families don't accept them for who they are, if the community doesn't accept them for who they are, their faith community, it really puts them at an elevated risk," Decker said. "The federal government is trying to erase individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, and that is going to lead to additional deaths."
Despite the elimination of the specialized service, the Trevor Project wants people to continue calling or texting 988 if they need help.
She said they are working with lawmakers to try to reverse the decision. She also encourages Idahoans who are concerned about the change to contact their congressional delegation.
"It is so important that LGBTQ youth be able to trust that when they reach out for help, that the person on the other end of the line will accept them for all of who they are," Pick said.