In July 2025, the Trump administration took advantage of the SCOTUS decision in United States v. Skrmetti” to effectively shut down an invaluable resource for LGBTQ+ youth at risk of self-harm.
Emboldened by that ruling, the administration’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) removed an option of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline designed for LGBTQ+ youth (the ‘Press 3’ option).
Lack of funding was cited as the reason for the shutdown.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2013-2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, LGBTQ+ youth are at a higher risk of serious depression and suicidal thoughts than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. They are also more likely to take their own lives.
Through the fiscal year 2026 appropriations, congress directed the restoration of specialized LGBTQ+ youth services, including the ‘Press 3’ option.
The administration responded by saying it was determining how to conform to the congressional directive and still comply with the decidedly anti-trans Executive Order 14168 issued by Trump in January 2025, “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.”
Put simply, the administration is required to provide services specifically for a group of people they deny exist: transgender youth.
Last month, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), who authored the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act, responded, “Executive orders cannot override federal law, and Congress already settled this question: the Trump administration must restore these services, including for transgender young people.”
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA will have the ‘Press 3’ option available by the end of 2026.
SAMHSA farms out daily operations of the lifeline to an organization called Vibrant Emotional Health.
Vibrant is tasked with restoring the ‘Press 3’ service and is receiving applications from crisis services providers to participate. Only current active members of the 988 network may apply.
This means that the Trevor Project, which previously had fielded half of the ‘Press 3’ option calls, is ineligible. Due to the Administration’s previous shutdown of the service, the Trevor Project ceased to be a member of the 988 network.
That leaves those in need and allies with a disconcerting question: what organization will replace the Trevor Project, and will it offer what is best for LGBTQ+ youth, or what is typically on the agenda for the Trump administration?
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
