Proposal to defund suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth would cost lives, New York advocates say
After a leaked Trump administration budget draft showed plans to cut funding for a federal suicide prevention hotline dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ youth, advocates in New York are sounding the alarm.
They say the proposal to eliminate funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services creates a life or death situation.
"If this funding does get cut, more LGBT kids will die from suicide"
Taylor Hubbard's office at the LGBT Network is filled with messages of hope, kindness and love. But the mental health clinician says they're not feeling any of that from the Trump administration.
"The kids are getting this message that you're not important or you're not worth it," Hubbard said, referring to a leaked budget draft that revealed the federal government's proposal to eliminate all funding to the 988 suicide crisis hotline for LGBTQ youth.
The hotline provides federally-funded support to anyone dealing with a mental health crisis nationwide.
"This is a service that helps keep kids safe and he's cutting it," Hubbard said. "It feels like we went back 30 years."
Hubbard's clinic in Happauge, Long Island offers one of the only community-based LGBTQ counseling programs in the Tri-State Area. Without additional federal support, officials fear help will go unanswered.
"If this funding does get cut, more LGBT kids will die from suicide," Robert Vitelli, CEO of New York LGBT Network, said.
988 hotline received 2,100 contacts per day in February
Since being implemented by the Biden administration in 2022, the hotline has provided more than 1.2 million crisis contacts with lifesaving services. In February, the program received an average of 2,100 contacts per day.
The Trevor Project responds to about half of the calls. CEO Jaymes Black says the proposal is not a cost-saving technique.
"Proposed action takes the LGBTQ youth services funding and distributes those dollars to support other parts of the 988 lifeline," Black said.
Studies show suicide rates are disproportionally high for LGBTQ youth, with more than 1.8 million in the U.S. seriously considering suicide each year. At least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.
LGBTQ+ advocates say they will be rolling out emergency fundraising campaigns in the coming weeks.
If the cuts become a reality, they would be effective October 1.
If you or a loved one is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You can call or text 988 or to chat online, go to 988Lifeline.org.
