Since its launch in July 2022, NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth and its Alliance to Prevent Youth Suicide have appreciated the federal government’s publicly available, easy-to-access 988 Lifeline. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports more than 14.5 million calls, texts and online chats, including more than 1.28 million contacts seeking specialized LGBTQ+ support, have been administered by the 988 Lifeline in less than three years.
Given its life-saving value to so many people facing severe emotional distress and/or suicidal thoughts, NAPNAP Partners strongly objects to the Trump Administration’s June 18 announcement that the 988 Lifeline "will no longer silo LGB+ youth services.” This senseless move will fail to properly support the estimated 3.2 million LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of eight and 18, who are at risk for family rejection, homelessness, discrimination and bullying and may need specialized guidance from trained experts at the 988 Lifeline. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey show 65% LGBTQ+ students felt sad or hopeless and 41% LGBTQ+ students seriously considered suicide.
Mental health care experts understand the unique challenges LGBTQ+ youth face and are educated and trained to provide the mental health services they need; however, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation only about half of LGBTQ+ people with a reported need received care due to barriers such as timely access to health care providers and lack of insurance coverage. The 988 Lifeline was intended to help overcome barriers for people experiencing an immediate and potentially life-threatening crisis, but instead the Administration has erected yet another barrier for vulnerable youth.
NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth calls upon the Administration to reverse its policy so that LGBTQ+ youth can access the much-needed support they deserve to grow and thrive into adulthood.
June 22, 2025