PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Trump administration is ending the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s “press 3 option” for LGBTQ youth on Thursday, July 17.
The national pilot program, which began three years ago, has exhausted its funds, and they will not be replenished. LGBTQ youth in crisis had the option of pressing 3 after dialing 988 to have specialized, culturally competent support from people who understand their specific struggles.
“For kids who already may feel rejected, invisible, invalidated, like their life experiences never mattered, that’s just got to be a devastating sentiment,” said Brian Mullen, a licensed professional counselor with ThriveWorks in Philadelphia, who counsels LGBTQ youth.
LGBTQ youth are between four and five times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers.
“The ‘press 3 option’ wasn’t just a call line. It was really a lifeline for many people,” said Mullen. “It connected LGBTQ+ people to mental health professionals who could speak to and just understand their lived experiences. I think that sense of safety, that sense of being seen, made just all the difference in the world in moments of crisis.”
Despite the conclusion of the “press 3 option,” Mullen said help is still available through the LGBT National Hotline and active local nonprofits.
“[The LGBT National Hotline] is staffing up to try to alleviate some of that,” he said. “My colleagues and I are going to be working on proactively sharing local LGBTQ+ crisis numbers.”
Although the “press 3 option” will no longer be available, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline will remain active 24/7.