NEXT MONTH, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WILL END A SPECIALIZED SUPPORT ON THE 988 NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE FOR YOUNG LGBTQ+ CALLERS, A GROUP THAT HAS THIS PROPORTIONATELY HEIGHT SUICIDE RATES.

THE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THE CHANGE BY SAYING THE HOTLINE WILL NO LONGER SILO LGB+ YOUTH SERVICES, OMITTING THE T FOR TRANSGENDER.

LINDSAY DAWSON IS DIRECTOR OF LGBTQ HEALTH AT KFF.

HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN AN OPTION ON THE SUICIDE HOTLINE?

HOW DID IT COME ABOUT?

>> THIS BECAME AN OPTION EARLY ON WHEN CONGRESS STARTED 988.

THEY INCLUDED DIRECTIONS TO HAVE A REPORT TO STUDY HOW TO BEST SERVE LGBTQ PEOPLE WHO DO FACE THIS MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, INCLUDING HIGHER RATES OF SUICIDALITY.

THEY FIRST PILOTED THE LINE IN 2022, AND IN JULY 2023 LAUNCHED THE SURFACE NATIONWIDE.

JOHN: WHAT IS THE ARGUMENT FOR HAVING THESE SPECIALIZED SERVICES?

>> THE ARGUMENT FOR THE SERVICE IS BECAUSE OF THE HIGHER RATES OF SUICIDALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES MORE GENERALLY DUE TO EXPERIENCES LIKE STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION, HIGHER RATES OF VIOLENCE AND LONELINESS, THAT LGBTQ YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS COULD BENEFIT FROM A SERVICE THAT SPECIFICALLY MEETS THEIR NEEDS.

JOHN: HOW MANY USERS DO WE KNOW?

>> SINCE THE LINE LAUNCHED, THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 1.3 MILLION CONTACTS THROUGH THE SERVICE.

THOSE INCLUDE CALLS, CHATS, AND TEXTS.

JOHN: WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATION SAYING ABOUT WHY THEY ARE DOING THIS?

>> TWO REASONS THE ADMINISTRATION IS SAYING THIS LINE IS BEING CUT.

THE FIRST IS 988 OVERALL CAN HANDLE THE CALLS THE LGBT SURFACE WOULD OVERSEE.

THE SECOND IS THE ADMINISTRATION IS SAYING THE SERVICE WAS FOSTERING GENDER IDEOLOGY BELIEFS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AND TRYING TO CONVINCE YOUNG PEOPLE OF GENDER IDEOLOGIES.

THIS IS PATENTLY NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

WHEN SOME BUDDY CALLS THE LINE, IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE IN CRISIS, AND THE LINE IS HELPING RESOLVE THAT MOMENT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.

JOHN: WHAT DOES THE ADMINISTRATION MEAN WHEN IT SAYS GENDER IDEOLOGY?

>> THAT SOMEONE HAS A GENDER IDENTITY THAT DIFFERS FROM THEIR SEX DEFINED AT BIRTH.

THEY BELIEVE THERE ARE ONLY TWO SEX, WHICH ERASES TRANS PEOPLE AND IDENTITIES.

WE KNOW TRANS PEOPLE ARE A FABRIC OF THE SOCIETY.

JOHN: THIS IS NOT THE ONLY THING THE ADMINISTRATION IS DOING TO PULL BACK ON ACCESS TO SERVICES AND HELP FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IN HEALTH.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION MORE BROADLY IS SEEKING TO CHALLENGE LGBTQ PEOPLE'S ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

ONE AREA THAT RECEIVED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ATTENTION IS YOUTH ACCESS TO GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.

JOHN: WITH THIS GOING AWAY AT THE 988 CALL, ARE THERE OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE TO LGBTQ+ YOUTH?

>> THEY CAN STILL CALL THAT 988 NUMBER AND WILL GET THE SAME SURFACES THAT ANYBODY ELSE WHO IS CALLING WOULD GET.

THEY MAY NOT GET AN OPERATOR WHO WAS ESPECIALLY TRAINED TO MEET THEIR NEEDS OR UNDERSTAND THEIR EXPERIENCES.

THEY CAN ALSO CALL THE SURFACES THAT THE -- SERVICES THAT THE TREVOR PROJECT HAS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ISSUES BEYOND SUICIDE IDEATION OR SUICIDALITY.

HOWEVER SOME OF THESE PROJECTS LIKE THE TREVOR PROJECT RECEIVE FUNDING FOR THIS SERVICE.

TO THE EXTENT THEY ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES IS SOMETHING TO WATCH MOVING FORWARD.

JOHN: THE FUNDING IS NOT CHANGING FOR 988 OVERALL?

>> THE FUNDING OVERALL FOR THE LINE IS GOING TO MAINTAIN AT $520 MILLION.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SAYING THE FUNDS FOR THE LGBTQ SERVICE HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED FOR THIS YEAR.

ANOTHER AREA IMPORTANT TO WATCH IS WHAT CONGRESS APPROPRIATES IN THE FY26 BUDGET.

JOHN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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