Did Trump cut the National Suicide Prevention Hotline?
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was created to help the most vulnerable groups in need of mental health support. But with looming budget cuts, did Trump cut the national suicide prevention hotline? Fortunately, the service has not been cut entirely. However, some parts of the service will be ending. The Trump administration and the federal government agency SAMHSA announced that it will end specialized services specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on July 17.
The decision to close the specialized services came during International Pride Month, which celebrates LGBTQ+ culture and history. The decision was also announced ahead of the US Supreme Court decision to uphold the state of Tennessee’s ban on transition-related health care for minors who identify as transgender. The Trump administration has accused the specialty service of “radical gender ideology” and says anyone can still call the crisis hotline and will be connected to a trained counselor.
Why is the LGBTQ+ Youth service from the 988 hotline being cut?
Since taking office, the Trump administration has pushed to end all types of diversity initiatives, including diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the federal government, known as DEI policies. The president has ordered the removal of transgender service members from the US military and issued executive orders that the US would only recognize two sexes: male and female.
The Health and Human Services spokesperson described the LGBTQ+ youth services program as a “chat service where children are encouraged to embrace radical gender ideology by counselors without consent or knowledge of their parents.”
Despite cuts to this service from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the administration says there will be continued funding for the wider hotline where all callers will be met with skilled, caring and culturally competent crisis professionals. These counselors will be able to assist with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, substance abuse, mental health crisis, or any other types of emotional distress.
The launch of LGBTQ+ Youth services
In 2022, SAMSHA launched the LGBTQ+ youth services as a pilot program in collaboration with The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a non-profit suicide and crisis prevention organization helping members of the LGBTQ+ community. As the program grew, The Trevor Project became one of seven organizations that made up the LGBTQ+ youth networks for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
The legislation passed by Congress in 2022 required the 988 lifeline to provide services and staff specifically for LGBTQ+ community members as well as other at-risk groups like indigenous Native Americans and veterans. The legislation noted that LGBTQ+ youth were almost four times more likely to contemplate suicide compared to their peers. During this time, the law had received bipartisan support. This included support from President Trump, who was serving his first term and signed the bill into law.
In 2024, the program served more than an estimated 231,000 crisis contacts, according to The Trevor Project. It has since received about 1.3 million contacts from the LGBTQ+ community since its launch.
The impact on LGBTQ+ Youth
LGBTQ+ youth are not inherently prone to risks of suicidal thoughts or behaviors due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. They become at high risk due to how they are mistreated, bullied and stigmatized by society. In 2025, there is still ongoing debate over this marginalized community of people. The higher risk of suicide and the development of substance use disorders are well-documented among LGBTQ+ youth. The social stigma, bullying, harassment, and lack of support, especially from loved ones, can take a toll on a person from this community.
With the closing of this specific service, many advocates believe it will have devastating effects on the youth members it serves. Cutting off support for this vulnerable group of people sends a message to them that you are on your own. This can be devastating to many individuals who are already struggling with mental health issues.
This specialized program is important to the LGBTQ+ community because it allows for free and reliable services to people and families who may not have easy access to mental health support. When it is cut, members of this community will be more vulnerable than ever. Advocates for such programs say cutting nationwide programs such as this one can lead to the development of self-medication through drugs and alcohol. It can ultimately lead to the development of substance use disorders and alcohol use disorder.
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Substance Use Disorder in the LGBTQ+ Youth Community
Many studies have found that LGBTQ+ teens and youth are at much higher risk for developing substance use disorders compared to their peers. Being from the LGBTQ+ community has slowly become more acceptable in social standings, but there is still stigma and negativity that surround people of this community. It still has a negative impact on American youth today.
LGBTQ+ teens are 48% more likely to be excluded from their communities. An estimated 51% of teens are more likely to be verbally harassed. There are many different risk factors that LGBTQ+ youth are prone to when it comes to substance abuse, including alcohol addiction.
These teens are more likely to struggle with their support group. When a parent is more supportive, the person is more likely to be happy and healthy. When these teens do not have the support of parents or close friends and family, it can negatively impact their mental well-being. Having a strong support group greatly impacts mental health. No one wants to feel different or like an outsider. It can lead to self-harm and self-medication. They are more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol to ease the negative emotions.
Minority stress. When members of a group are stigmatized by mainstream society due to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity, it increases psychological stress. Stress is often met by the use of drugs to help manage emotional pain. There are many different stereotypes that surround people who stray from normal gender identity and presentation. This only fuels the need to turn to drugs and alcohol.
Teenage substance abuse prevention is important among the LGBTQ+ youth. Their experiences can negatively impact their mental health, leading to alternative ways to manage their feelings. These forms of self-medication include prescription drugs, street drugs and alcohol.
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Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
The Trump administration’s cuts to LGBTQ+ youth services will have devastating effects on a very vulnerable community prone to substance use disorder. The cuts to this program will leave many in need of mental health support turning to unhealthy options that can lead to drug and alcohol addiction. Professional behavioral health treatment programs like Hotel California by the Sea provide support at all levels for those in need of addiction treatment.
We offer treatment in detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based treatment methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping all clients reach their goals of sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyqlv7y31go
https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/lgbtq/lgbtq-youth-addiction
https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/05/trumps-plan-to-cut-suicide-hotline-funding-has-lethal-consequences/