Latest news with #JaymesBlack
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
MAGA move: Trump admin axes LGBTQ youth suicide hotline; critics warn ‘kids will die'
(Photo: AP) The Trump administration has stopped a special phone service that helped LGBTQ kids and young adults with mental health problems. This move has upset many people, including Democrats, doctors, and LGBTQ rights groups. This service was part of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It let callers under 25 talk to trained counsellors who understand LGBTQ issues. NBC News reported that the government shut it down. The service started in October 2022. It was known as the 'Press 3' option. People could press 3 or text the word 'PRIDE' to speak to someone who could really understand them. Since it began, nearly 1.5 million people have used it. The government agency SAMHSA said last month it would no longer keep this special line just for LGBTQ kids. They said they want to help all callers in the same way. Jaymes Black, the head of The Trevor Project, which helped run the service, said stopping it was 'unfathomable.' He told NBC: 'This administration has made a dangerous decision to play politics with real young people's lives. Sadly, more children are going to die in America because of this cut.' People from both political parties were upset. Democrat Rep. Seth Moulton said on MSNBC: 'Kids are going to die. This is actually the kind of thing Republicans should care about if they really care about American kids.' He also said: 'As a veteran, I know how much it means to my fellow veterans to be able to push a button when they call 988 and get connected directly to a veterans crisis counsellor. Well, LGBTQ kids need that, too.' Republican Mike Lawler agreed. At a press event, he said, 'Cutting a programme that is working, that is meeting a real and growing need, just does not make sense.' SAMHSA explained that the LGBTQ youth service had no more funding from Congress. They said if they kept it, they would have to remove help from other parts of the 988 hotline. The veterans' option to press 1 is still available. California governor Gavin Newsom reacted quickly. He said California will now work with The Trevor Project to train 988 crisis workers to understand LGBTQ youth better. He said, 'While the Trump administration continues its attacks on LGBTQ kids, California has a message to the community: we see you and we're here for you.' If LGBTQ youth need help, they can still contact The Trevor Project.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Where LGBTQ+ youth in L.A. can find mental health support right now
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced last week that it will phase out the 'Press 3' option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which had previously directed LGBTQ+ youth to specialized counselors. The change is part of a broader restructuring aimed at integrating services and providing a unified response for all individuals seeking mental health support. In a statement, SAMHSA said it would no longer silo services for 'LGB+ youth' and instead consolidate resources to support all help seekers through a single point of access. Notably, the agency's updated language referred only to 'LGB+' individuals, omitting the 'T' that typically stands for transgender, drawing scrutiny from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. '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 agency said. 'Anyone who calls the Lifeline will continue to receive compassion and help.' Prior to the 'Press 3' option was introduced, the Trevor Project—an organization focused on suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ young people—was the sole provider of the service. It has since become one of seven organizations that make up the LGBTQ Youth Subnetwork. Jaymes Black, CEO of the Trevor Project, called the decision 'devastating' and criticized what they described as a politically motivated rollback of an evidence-based, bipartisan support system. 'Suicide prevention is about people, not politics,' Black said in a statement. 'The administration's decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible. The fact that this news comes to us halfway through Pride Month is callous — as is the administration's choice to remove the 'T' from the acronym 'LGBTQ+' in their announcement. Transgender people can never, and will never, be erased.' The lifeline has served more than 1.3 million LGBTQ+ youth since its inception, according to the Trevor Project. Black emphasized that the organization's own counselors remain available around the clock and encouraged youth to reach out directly. 'I want every LGBTQ+ young person to know that you are worthy, you are loved, and you belong – despite this heartbreaking news,' Black said. 'The Trevor Project's crisis counselors are here for you 24/7, just as we always have been, to help you navigate anything you might be feeling right now.' The Trump Administration's change to the 988 lifeline will take effect in less than 30 days. In the meantime, LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and advocates are being urged to explore alternative mental health resources, and for Angelenos there's various options available. For those in the Los Angeles area, the following organizations provide inclusive, culturally competent mental health services for LGBTQ+ individuals. The following list was curated by the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles County's Alternative Crisis Response: Access the county's 24/7 helpline at (800) 854-7771 for culturally responsive mental health professionals trained to serve LGBTQ+ individuals. The Trevor Project: Offers nationwide crisis services and peer support. Reach out by texting 'START' to 678-678, calling (866) 488-7386, or visiting for live chat support. Trans Lifeline: A nonprofit staffed by trans individuals, providing emotional and financial support. Call (877) 565-8860, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT. Desi LGBTQ+ Helpline (DEQH): Offers support to South Asian LGBTQ+ individuals. Call (908) 367-3374 on Thursdays and Sundays, 5 to 7 p.m. PT, or submit a request online. Los Angeles LGBT Center: Provides housing, legal aid, healthcare, and mental health services. Visit or call (323) 993-7400. APLA Health: With eight locations in LA and Long Beach, APLA offers comprehensive health and support services. Appointments available online. Yellow Chair Collective: Specializing in culturally responsive, LGBTQ+-affirming counseling, especially for Asian American and multicultural clients. More info at Planned Parenthood: Some centers offer gender-affirming care and mental health support groups for queer youth ages 14 to 21. Visit for locations and services. CalHOPE: A state-run resource offering free mental health support and links to LGBTQ+-affirming services. Call (833) 317-4673 or visit As national infrastructure shifts, mental health professionals and advocates emphasize that timely, culturally competent care remains essential—particularly for LGBTQ+ youth, who continue to face elevated risks of depression, anxiety and suicide. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Black America Web
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Black America Web
Trump Administration Shutters Suicide Hotline For LGBTQ Youth
Source: picture alliance / Getty The 'pro-life' party is once again proving that it only cares about the lives of straight, cisgender people. Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced that it would be shuttering a line on the national suicide hotline specifically made for LGBTQ youth. According to CBS News, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced that the 'press 3 option' will be removed from the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. '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,' the statement released by SAMHSA reads. '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. Anyone who calls the Lifeline will continue to receive compassion and help,' the statement continued. The 'press 3 option' was created in 2022 as a pilot project in conjunction with The Trevor Project, a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. When the press 3 option launched in 2022, the hotline saw a 40 percent increase in calls. It's unclear if the people who worked on the specialized line would be folded into the mix of current crisis counselors or cut from the hotline outright. Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, released a statement condemning the move by the administration. 'We received official notice that the Trump administration has ordered the closure of The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program, effective July 17, 2025. This means that, in 30 short days, this program that has provided life-saving services to more than 1.3 million LGBTQ+ young people will no longer be available for those who need it,' the statement read. Source: EvgeniyShkolenko / Getty 'This is devastating, to say the least. Suicide prevention is about people, not politics. The administration's decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible.' It shouldn't be lost on anyone that this particularly cruel move comes during Pride month, which has already been more subdued as a result of the actions by the Trump administration. The crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has seen multiple pride events scaled down as funding usually set aside for pride has been withdrawn. The statement was also particularly gross in how it dropped the 'T' in 'LGBTQ,' which Black also noted in his statement. 'The fact that this news comes to us halfway through Pride Month is callous – as is the administration's choice to remove the 'T' from the acronym 'LGBTQ+' in their announcement. Transgender people can never, and will never, be erased' Black wrote. It's clear that the Trump administration wants LGBTQ people to die. I'm not even being hyperbolic, as the National Institutes of Health have slashed millions of dollars in funding for several grants aimed at sexual health for LGBTQ Americans. A recent court ruling blocked a Trump executive order that pulled funding from several LGBTQ non-profits, saying that the vague wording of the order infringed on their First Amendment rights. Across the board the Trump administration is doing everything it can to make life harder, and quite frankly, deadlier for queer and trans youth. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here . The Trevor Project's trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at , or by texting START to 678678. SEE ALSO: Judge Blocks Trump EO Pulling Funds From LGBTQ Health Nonprofits Corporate Sponsors Have Us Asking: Where's The Pride? SEE ALSO Trump Administration Shutters Suicide Hotline For LGBTQ Youth was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Trump administration scrap suicide helpline for LGBTQ+ youths
LGBTQ+ organisations have described the defunding of the suicide prevention service as "devastating" as Trump's administration plans to close helpline within 30 days The Trump administration is set to shut down a US national suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ young people in funding cuts. American non-profit suicide prevention organisation, The Trevor Project has described scrapping the the helpline as "devastating", but the administration has cited the service as "radical gender ideology". The suicide prevention service in place for LGBTQ young people says it will soon close, but a 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will remain active with an option for LGBTQ youths available. The service has reassured that anyone calling will be treated with "compassion' and helped, but the hotline cuts to specific LGBTQ people has raised concerns for many. The Trevor Project has helped to run the LGBTQ+ helpline option, and the organisation has said the recent decision will be harmful, impacting vulnerable young people the most. Chief executive of The Trevor Project, Jaymes Black said 'suicide prevention is about people, not politics' and expressed concern at the announcement that the LGBTQ suicide prevention hotline will close down in 30 days time. Mr Black said: "The administration's decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible." The funding cuts to the service in place for this 'high risk' group coincides with international Pride Month, where LGBTQ lifestyle and history is celebrated across the world. Cities across the globe feature Pride processions and events honouring LGBTQ culture in society. The news of axing the service also came in ahead of a US Supreme Court decision on June 17 concerning minors who identify as transgender. The state of Tennessee upheld a ban on healthcare help when transitioning. The general 988 Lifeline will still offer a helpline for anyone who is struggling with mental health. It provides free mental health support via call, texts, or a chat service. The 988 Lifeline is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in America. Any LGBTQ young people calling through currently can select option 3 from the menu to connect with specialised counsellors. Once the changes occur (in 30 days time) the general 988 Lifeline service will instead "focus on serving all help seekers", including LGBTQ young people. However, when the changes are in place, the hotline will no longer have a separate helpline for LGBTQ youth services. Officials from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed the cuts to the 988 Lifeline's LGBTQ youth services in June 2025. Speaking to NBC News at the time, a HHS spokesperson said the specialised LGBTQ+ option was a "chat service where children are encouraged to embrace radical gender ideology by 'counsellors' without consent or knowledge of their parents". LGBTQ youth are "more than four times more likely to contemplate suicide than their peers, with 1 in 5 LGBTQ youth and more than 1 in 3 transgender youth reporting attempting suicide" reports suggest. But the helpline cuts come amid Trump's push to curtail other services specifically for transgender people across the government. Trump recently ordered the removal of transgender service people from the US military - and issued an executive order. The order being that the American government would only recognise males and females as 'two sexes' in society.
Global News
19-06-2025
- Health
- Global News
U.S suicide prevention hotline cutting service for 2SLGBTQ+ youth
The 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will stop providing tailored support options to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults on July 17, according to a statement on a federal agency's website. The decision preempts the Trump administration's 2026 budget proposal to cut funding for 988's LGBTQ+ youth and young adult services, and is raising alarm bells among LGBTQ+ advocates. Federal data shows the LGBTQ+ youth program has served nearly 1.3 million callers since it started in September 2022. The services were accessible under the 'Press 3' option on the phone or by replying 'PRIDE' via text. Story continues below advertisement The decision was was made to 'no longer silo' the services and 'to focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option,' the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said in a statement dated Tuesday on its website. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy News of the LGBTQ+ service shutting down comes as the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors on Wednesday. The Trevor Project said it received official notice Tuesday that the program was ending. The nonprofit is one of seven centres that provides 988 crisis support services for LGBTQ+ people, and serves nearly half of the people who contact the lifeline. 'Suicide prevention is about people, not politics,' Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black said in a statement Wednesday. 'The administration's decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible.' In its statement on the 988 decision, SAMHSA referred to the 'LGB+ youth services.' Black called the omission of the 'T' representing transgender people 'callous.' 'Transgender people can never, and will never, be erased,' he said. The Trevor Project will continue to run its 24/7 mental health support services, as will other organizations, and leaders of 988 say the hotline will serve anyone who calls with compassion. Story continues below advertisement The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 49,300 suicides in 2023 — about the highest level in the nation's history, based on preliminary data. Studies have shown that LGBTQ+ youth are at higher risk of suicide, including a 2024 analysis by the CDC that found 26 per cent of transgender and gender-questioning students attempted suicide in the past year. That's compared with 5 per cent of cisgender male and 11 per cent of cisgender female students. Young transgender people flooded crisis hotlines with calls after President Donald Trump was re-elected. Trump made anti-transgender themes central to his campaign and has since rolled back many civil rights protections and access to gender-affirming care. Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 into law in October 2020. The specific 988 subprogram for LGBTQ+ youth cost $33 million in fiscal year 2024, according to SAMHSA, and as of June 2025, more than $33 million has been spent on the services. The Trump administration's 2026 budget proposal called for keeping 988's total budget at $520 million, even while eliminating the LGBTQ+ services. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to wrap SAMHSA and other agencies into a new HHS office called the Administration for a Healthy America, where it would coexist with employees from other agencies responsible for chemical exposures and work-related injuries.
