Overview

• The Trump administration removed funding for the LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Service from its 2026 budget, ending the 988 lifeline’s “Press 3” option on July 17.
• Since its bipartisan launch in 2022, the service has delivered over 1.3 million crisis contacts to LGBTQ+ young people.
• Mental health calls to 988 are on pace to top 700,000 this year, up from 600,000 in 2024.
• Demonstrations at Trump Tower and warnings by clinicians underscore fears that removing specialized counseling will heighten suicide risk among queer youth.
• California’s newly unveiled $4.7 billion youth mental health plan and nonprofit hotlines, including The Trevor Project’s 24/7 crisis line, are poised to bridge the looming service gap.