Baldwin, Warren, Markey, Merkley Blast Trump Plan to Cut 988 Suicide and Crisis Line For LGBTQ+ Youth

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led their colleagues in slamming the Trump Administration’s plan to take away lifesaving mental health services at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from LGBTQ+ youth, who face a higher risk of mental health challenges than their peers. Last week, reports surfaced that President Trump intends to slash 988’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program, which has received over 1.2 million crisis contacts since 2022, with a spike over the last several months.

“Given the Administration has claimed addressing youth mental health as a priority, elimination of specialized services specifically designed for at-risk youth is irresponsible,” wrote the Senators in a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We urge you to reconsider and support continued funding for the program.”

The proposed cuts come at a time when LGBTQ+ youth continue to experience higher risk for depression, suicidal ideation, and attempted suicide compared to other youths. A 2024 survey by The Trevor Project reported that nearly 40 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous year, and 12 percent of LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide – rates much higher than those present among non-LGBTQ+ youth.

After a successful pilot program, both Republicans and Democrats in Congress expanded the LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program to 24/7 operation in fiscal year 2023 before increasing funding from $7.2 million for the pilot to $33.1 million in fiscal year 2024 on a bipartisan basis. Like specialized services available to veterans, the line connects LGBTQ+ youth with specially trained crisis counselors. Since its inception in 2022, the Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth hotline has received over 1.2 million crisis contacts, spiking in use over the last several months.

“While we strongly disagree with the many actions taken by the Trump Administration targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, we believe that suicide prevention should be a nonpartisan issue. Elimination of services that help keep youth alive is reckless, and we urge you to reconsider your proposal to eliminate this lifeline,” concluded the Senators.

In addition to Senators Baldwin, Warren, Markey, and Merkley, the letter is also co-signed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Jack Reed (D-RI). A full version of this letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Kennedy:

We write with grave concerns regarding reports that the draft FY26 Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) budget proposes defunding the LGBTQ+ youth suicide and crisis hotline. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s (the Lifeline) LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program provides lifesaving services to LGBTQ+ youth, who face a higher risk of significant mental health challenges and barriers to receiving care than their peers. Given the Administration has claimed addressing youth mental health as a priority, elimination of specialized services specifically designed for at-risk youth is irresponsible. We urge you to reconsider and support continued funding for the program.

As you know, the LGBTQ+ youth specialized services pilot program was created in fiscal year 2022 to provide services to LGBTQ+ youth, who are at a disproportionately high risk for depression, suicidal ideation, and attempted suicide compared to other youths. A 2024 survey by The Trevor Project reported that nearly 40 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous year, and 12 percent of LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide – rates much higher than those present among non-LGBTQ+ youth.

After a successful initial phase, Congress recognized the importance of providing specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth and directed the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to expand beyond the pilot to 24/7 operation in fiscal year 2023. To ensure that youth would be able to access the Lifeline by phone, text, or chat whenever they needed it, Congress also increased the program’s funding from $7.2 million for the pilot to $33.1 million in fiscal year 2024 on a bipartisan basis. These specialized services are similar to other dedicated programs for veterans and service members, disaster survivors, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and people with neurodivergence. This specialized intervention connects LGBTQ+ youth with specially trained crisis counselors, who can provide understanding, empathetic, and confidential support. Despite the requirement for an operating plan for fiscal year 2025, HHS has provided no information about how or whether it plans to use funds for specialized services or the 988 Suicide Lifeline in general.

Since its inception in 2022, the Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth hotline has received over 1.2 million crisis contacts and utilization of the Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth program has spiked over the last several months. While we strongly disagree with the many actions taken by the Trump Administration targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, we believe that suicide prevention should be a nonpartisan issue. Elimination of services that help keep youth alive is reckless, and we urge you to reconsider your proposal to eliminate this lifeline.

Sincerely,

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.