California LGBTQ+ youth lose suicide hotline support
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The Trump administration is removing suicide counselors for LGBTQ+ youth from the 988 crisis hotline.
Why it matters: Those kids already face barriers to mental health care in California.
- President Trump is targeting a group that is more than four times as likely than its peers to attempt suicide.
Driving the news: Starting July 17, callers will no longer be connected to the Trevor Project's specialized hotline, because the service ran out of congressionally directed funding, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
- The hotline's general services will remain available.
What they're saying: "This is devastating, and we fear there will be compounding consequences. It is intentionally cruel for this to happen during Pride month," said Lance Toma, CEO of the San Francisco Community Health Center.
Zoom in: The San Francisco metro area is home to the highest concentration of LGBTQ+ people in the U.S., per 2021 Williams Institute estimates.
Stunning stat: 35% of LGBTQ+ young people in California, including 39% of transgender and nonbinary youth, seriously considered suicide in the past year, according to a 2024 survey by The Trevor Project.
- Both figures are slightly lower than the nationwide statistics.
Between the lines: As some providers scale back services for LGBTQ+ youth, Toma told Axios that his organization will continue to provide gender-affirming medical care, case management and mental health services through their drop-in clinic TransThrive, and housing support via the Taimon Booton Navigation Center.
- "Right now, LGBTQ+ youth need to know they are not alone. They belong. And we are fighting for them," Toma said.
State of play: California lands near the middle of the pack when it comes to using 988, which launched in 2022 to help address America's mental health crisis.
By the numbers: California saw a rate of 25.5 contacts per 1,000 people last year, making it the 21st-highest in the nation, per new research published in JAMA Network Open.
- The national average was 23.7.
- Alaska (45.3) and Vermont (40.2) had the highest 988 contact rates among states in 2024, while Delaware (12.5) and Alabama (14.4) had the lowest.
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat with someone at 988lifeline.org. En español.