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4mo ago

Proposed HHS Budget Threatens LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Hotline Funding

A leaked draft reveals plans to eliminate federal support for the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services, a critical lifeline for over 1.2 million individuals since 2022, with cuts set to take effect in October pending Congressional approval.

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accompanied by National Institutes of Health Director Jayanta Bhattacharya (left), and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary (right) speaks during a news conference at the Health and Human Services Department on April 22, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Overview

  • The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services, launched in 2022, has supported over 1.2 million young people and contributed to 14 million total contacts.
  • The proposed HHS budget, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aims to fully defund the LGBTQ+ youth program, with cuts taking effect on October 1 if approved by Congress.
  • The Trevor Project and other advocacy groups warn that eliminating these services would endanger millions of LGBTQ+ youth, who face disproportionately high suicide risks.
  • Following Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election, crisis hotline demand from LGBTQ+ youth surged by 700%, highlighting the ongoing need for tailored mental health support.
  • The proposal aligns with broader federal actions targeting LGBTQ+ rights, including executive orders restricting trans rights in sports, healthcare, and legal definitions of gender.