I received word this morning that crisis hotlines in the U.S. are being cut—especially those serving LGBTQ+ youth.

I checked this directly on Friday, May 2nd at 9:31 AM CRT using ChatGPT-4, and here’s what I found:

Recent developments indicate that crisis lines in the U.S., particularly those serving LGBTQ+ youth, have faced funding cuts and operational challenges. 

Federal Funding Cuts

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., proposed eliminating federal funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services. This program, launched in 2022, has assisted over 1.2 million individuals by providing crisis support tailored to LGBTQ+ identities. Advocacy groups and mental health professionals have expressed concern that defunding these services could jeopardize the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth, who are already at a higher risk for suicide compared to their peers.  

State-Level Challenges

The 988 Lifeline’s sustainability varies across states. While some states have implemented monthly surcharges on phone bills to fund 988 services, many have not. Only 10 states—California, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington—have enacted such legislation. In contrast, other states, including Ohio, are still in the process of establishing stable funding mechanisms. For instance, a proposed 10-cent monthly surcharge in Ohio has made limited progress.    

Operational Reductions

Beyond funding issues, some crisis services have experienced operational reductions. Trans Lifeline, a peer support and crisis hotline for transgender individuals, reduced its operating hours in 2024 due to budgetary constraints. Previously available 24/7, it now operates Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM Pacific Time.  

Additionally, a study by RAND Corporation found that since the launch of the 988 Lifeline, there has been a decrease in the availability of certain mental health crisis services, such as psychiatric walk-in services and mobile crisis response units, in many facilities across the country.  

Political and Legal Context

These developments coincide with broader political and legal shifts. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention services, labeling them as “indefensible.” In response, he supported legislation requiring California middle and high schools to print the Trevor Project’s crisis hotline number on student ID cards.   

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice has canceled over 350 grants worth more than $800 million, impacting numerous nonprofits and public safety programs nationwide. These cuts have led to layoffs, program closures, and service reductions, particularly in victim support and anti-violence initiatives.  

Conclusion

In summary, while the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline continues to operate, it faces significant challenges due to federal funding cuts, inconsistent state-level support, and operational reductions. Advocacy groups and mental health professionals are actively working to address these issues to ensure that crisis services remain accessible to all individuals in need. 

I’m a mentor & coach for the autism, ADHD, and AuDHD community—(not yet) a certified professional in suicide prevention or crisis care, but:

You can reach out to me via [email protected], on LinkedIn (“Simon Arnold”), or send me a DM here or on Spotify.

If you’re neurodivergent but not autistic, ADHD, or AuDHD—I have a big network and can help point you in the right direction.