The Trump administration is seeking to make a federal crisis hotline more accessible by closing down its LGBT youth option next month in order to redirect resources to help all callers.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) confirmed the order in a statement on Tuesday night, stating it’s āPress 3 option,ā will be removed on July 17. The program was established in Fiscal Year 2022, and received funding from Congress in Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024.Ā
The move comes as the current presidential administration looks to cut down on wasteful government spending, by eliminating or canceling repetitive grants and programs. The emergency hotline as a whole will still be in operation.
“On July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the ‘Press 3 option,’ to focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option,” SAMHSA said in a news release.
“Everyone who contacts the 988 Lifeline will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counselors who can help with suicidal, substance misuse, or mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress,” the release continued.Ā “Anyone who calls the Lifeline will continue to receive compassion and help.”
Ā The LGBT youth program has receivedĀ nearly 1.3 million calls, texts and online chat messages since it opened in 2022, and received an average of 2,100 crisis contacts daily in February of 2025.
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You canĀ follow her on XĀ for more coverage.
