Trump administration moves to restart LGBTQ+ suicide hotline it initially ended
Summary
The Trump administration plans to restart the LGBTQ+ option on the 988 suicide crisis hotline, which it had stopped last year due to funding running out. Lawmakers have directed funds to bring the service back, but the non-profit that helped create it, the Trevor Project, may not be allowed to run the service again.Key Facts
- The 988 hotline is a mental health crisis line similar to 911 but for emergencies like suicide risk.
- The hotline had a special LGBTQ+ option called "press 3" for youth, which was stopped by the Trump administration last July due to funding issues.
- Congress allocated $33 million to restore LGBTQ+ specific crisis services within 988.
- The Trevor Project, a leading non-profit focused on LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention, helped develop the original "press 3" service but may be excluded from managing it now.
- The Trevor Project handled about half of the 1.6 million contacts received during the original "press 3" operation.
- Other crisis centers involved in the LGBTQ+ program are part of the 988 network and can apply to run the renewed "press 3" lines.
- The service allows youth to press 3, text "PRIDE," or chat online to get help from counselors trained to support LGBTQ+ young people.
- Some lawmakers, including Senator Tammy Baldwin, have publicly supported fully restoring the service without limiting who can provide help.
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