Trump Administration to End Specialized LGBTQ+ Youth Services on 988 Lifeline July 17, Serving 1.3 Million, SAMHSA Confirms

The Trump administration has announced it will discontinue the specialized LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention services provided through the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, effective July 17, 2025. This decision, communicated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will end the dedicated support option that has served more than 1.3 million LGBTQ+ youth since the hotline's launch in July 2022. The administration stated the goal is to "no longer silo" LGBTQ+ youth within the lifeline services, directing callers to use the general 988 hotline instead. The specialized service included an option where callers could press 3 or text "PRIDE" to reach LGBTQ+ trained counselors.

The move has drawn criticism from advocates and lawmakers who highlight the disproportionately high suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth and warn that ending this targeted support could have dangerous consequences. Despite the federal change, some local and state systems have pledged to continue supporting LGBTQ+ individuals. Separately, the Trump administration has also removed information related to climate change impacts from U.S. federal websites, including legally mandated national climate assessments, and has banned certain environmental terms in government communications, according to a leaked USDA memo reported by The New Republic.