The Trump administration says it is working to restore the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth “Press 3” option by the end of 2026, but the service must comply with an executive order that recognizes only two sexes under federal policy. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is working with Vibrant Emotional Health to reactivate the service as directed by Congress in fiscal year 2026.
The LGBTQ+ youth specialized service launched nationwide in 2022 but was shut down on July 17, 2025, after the Administration eliminated its dedicated funding and said it would “no longer silo” LGBTQ+ callers. The Trevor Project, which helped pilot the program, said the service supported more than 1.5 million queer young people before it ended.
CEO Jaymes Black said: “We are grateful to see preliminary indication that the 988 Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth specialised services may be reinstated…However, we remain sceptical as the administration has now plainly said the lifeline must ensure compliance with President Trump’s January 2025 anti-transgender executive order.”
