Federal Government Must Restore LGBTQ+ Youth Line Within the 988 Lifeline

Washington, DC July 7, 2025 — The National Coalition for LGBTQ Health strongly opposes the federal decision to eliminate specialized 988 crisis services for LGBTQ+ youth. Stripping away the “Press 3” and “PRIDE” options removes a lifeline that has supported over a million young people—many in rural or underserved areas with no other affirming mental health access. This is a targeted rollback of services for a population already at disproportionate risk of suicide, and it will widen care gaps at the exact moment demand is growing.

The Coalition’s State of LGBTQ Health National Survey found that fewer than half of healthcare providers offer LGBTQ-specific services, and only 57% feel confident using inclusive, affirming language with LGBTQ+ patients. The loss of a specialized national crisis line puts even more pressure on underfunded community organizations and healthcare workers to fill the gap—no workaround replaces what was lost. Specialized, identity-affirming crisis care isn’t optional. It’s essential. LGBTQ+ youth deserve to be met by someone who sees them, understands them, and is trained to support them, especially when every second counts. The federal government must restore the LGBTQ+ youth line within the 988 Lifeline.

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