As Trump closes LGBTQ+ suicide prevention hotline, here’s where you can still find help

Jul 16
Written by Chantelle Billson

There are still LGBTQ+ mental health resources available to support those in need. (Getty Images/Carol Yepes)

As of Thursday, July 17, a federal program that provides emergency crisis support to LGBTQ+ youth at risk of suicide will be shut down.

The LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Service hotline, known as the ‘Press 3 Option’, was set up in conjunction with The Trevor Project, and is part of the wider national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

On June 19, in a statement on the decision by Trump to shut down the LGBTQ+ hotline, Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black said she was “devastated and heartbroken”, and confirmed that it would close “in 30 days”.

A White House spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget said: “The president’s Budget funds the 988 at $520 million – the same number as under (former President Joe) Biden. It does not, however, grant taxpayer money to a chat service where children are encouraged to embrace radical gender ideology by ‘counselors’ without consent or knowledge of their parents.”

LGBTQ+ young people can still contact 988 for specialised crisis services until 17 July, and will be able to do after, but without specialised services. However, there are still other mental health resources that specifically serve the LGBTQ+ community and are available to support those in need.

The Human Rights Campaign has compiled a list of these resources, which are outlined below.

Trans Lifeline

This lifeline, which is available by calling 877-565-8860, is free and confidential. It offers emotional and financial support by and for members of the Trans+ community across the United States.

BlackLine

This hotline, operated by and primarily for members of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ communities, is available 24/7 via call and its mobile app. It offers peer-support, crisis-support and an avenue to report vigilante and police misconduct.

To contact BlackLine, call or text: 1-800-604-5841. The BlackLine app can also be downloaded onto mobile devices.

DeQH Helpline

This is a Desi LGBTQ+ Helpline for South Asians. It’s free and confidential and can be reached between 8-10 pm Eastern on Thursdays and Sundays by calling 908-367-3374.

INARA Warmline

Operated by members of the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity this helpline is free and confidential. The line – 71-QTM-INARA (717-864-6272) – is available from 5-11 pm Central on Fridays and Saturdays. Its website also offers additional resources.

LGBT National Hotline

This LBGTQ+ hotline is available by phone from 4 pm-12 am Eastern Monday-Friday and 12-5 pm Eastern on Saturdays. It can be reached by calling 888-843-4564.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline

This free and confidential* suicide crisis hotline is available by text, call, or chat 24/7 and serves LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-24 across the United States.

NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950- NAMI (6264) or text “HELPLINE” to 62640.

Crisis Text Line*

The Crisis Text Line is available 24/7 via text and chat to anyone in the United States and provides mental health support via text.To access this resource, text “HOME” to 741-741.

LGBT National Youth Talkline

This free and confidential resource is available by phone from 4 pm-12 am Eastern Monday-Friday and 12-5 pm Eastern on Saturdays by calling 1-800-246-7743.

Love Is Respect Hotline

This hotline supports teens, young adults, and their loved ones seeking help, resources, or information related to healthy relationships and dating abuse in the US. It can be called on 1-866-331-9474 or contacted by texting “LOVE” to 22522.

National Runaway Safeline*

This crisis hotline is available 24/7 by call, text, or chat and primarily serves young people at-risk of running away or in active crisis situations across the United States. To access this resource, call or text: “1-800-RUNAWAY” (1-800-786-2929).

The Steve Fund Crisis Textline*

This text-based crisis line is available 24/7 and is dedicated to serving the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of colour. To access this resource, text “STEVE” to 741-741.

TrevorLifeline, TrevorText, & TrevorChat

This free and confidential* suicide crisis hotline is available by text, call, or chat 24/7 and serves LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-24 across the United States. To access this resource, call 1-866-488-7386. For text-based support, text “START” to 678-678.

Rainbow Youth Project

The Rainbow Youth Project provides access to no-cost mental health services, including suicide prevention and intervention, for LGBTQIA+ young people across the United States. The service can be contacted at 317-643-4888.

Further resources can be found at https://www.hrc.org/resources/mental-health-resources-in-the-lgbtq-community.

Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.

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