Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined a bipartisan group of her colleagues to urge the Trump Administration to reinstate the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ phone line. One year ago, the administration ended the LGBTQ+ “Press 3” option. Following sustained bipartisan pressure and Congress appropriating funding to restore the service, the administration has announced plans to bring it back “by the end of the year” — but today’s coalition demanded that those lifesaving services be reinstated without further delay.
“A year ago today, we stood here because the administration made the decision to shut down the 988 LGBTQ+ youth crisis line,” said Davids. “I said then that it was the wrong decision. It was and still is. Because this has never been about politics. It’s about people. It’s about a young person who feels completely alone and is trying to decide if tomorrow is worth it, and making sure someone is there to answer the phone in that moment.”
Since its launch in 2022, the LGBTQ+ subline under the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has been a critical, life-saving resource for LGBTQ+ youth and adults facing mental health crises. The line has handled nearly 1.3 million calls, texts, and chats from LGBTQ+ individuals seeking support. Its closure comes at a time of growing need — just last year, over 40 percent of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide, according to national surveys.
The decision to shut down the LGBTQ+ subline drew widespread concern from mental health experts and civil rights organizations. Although the administration has pledged to reopen the line, advocates remain concerned that organizations with the most experience serving LGBTQ+ youth, including The Trevor Project, which helped establish the original program, may not be included in the updated 988 Lifeline.
Along with Davids, today’s press conference included Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), and Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), as well as The Trevor Project and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.