September 2022: 2,000 Contacts a Month
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched a dedicated LGBTQ+ youth subnetwork in September 2022. Callers pressed 3 or texted “PRIDE” to reach counselors with specific training in LGBTQ+ crisis intervention. The first month, about 2,000 people reached out.
By December 2023, it was 45,703 a month. By early 2025, it was 70,000 a month. In January and February 2025 alone, 100,000 people contacted the service. Over its three-year life, the LGBTQ+ subnetwork handled 1.3 to 1.5 million contacts.
2,000 → 70,000 contacts per month. 1.5 million total. Then terminated.
That is not a service that was failing. That is a service that people needed.
July 17, 2025: Terminated
On June 17, 2025, SAMHSA announced it would close the LGBTQ+ youth subnetwork within 30 days. The justification: the service had “exhausted congressionally allocated funding.” Congress had allocated $33 to 34.1 million for FY 2025. The total 988 budget was $520 million.
The “Press 3” option went dark on July 17, 2025. The “PRIDE” text keyword stopped working. Specialized LGBTQ+ counselors were no longer available. LGBTQ+ youth who called 988 after that date were routed to general counselors without specific training in the issues they were calling about.
The LGBTQ+ subnetwork cost $33 million. The total 988 budget was $520 million. The subnetwork handled 10% of all contacts and 19% of all texts on 6.3% of the budget.
SAMHSA said it would “no longer silo LGB+ youth services” and would “focus on serving all help seekers.” 100,000 contacts in two months proved the demand was real. “Serving all help seekers” is not the same as serving the ones who are 4x more likely to attempt suicide.
Who Was Calling
39% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in 2024. For transgender and nonbinary youth, that number was 46%. 12% attempted it. Half of all LGBTQ+ youth who wanted mental health care could not get it.
The LGBTQ+ subnetwork accounted for 10% of all 988 contacts and 19% of all texts. LGBTQ+ youth were twice as likely to text as call. They were reaching out in the way they felt safest, to counselors who understood them.
Before defunding, the service already had problems. The call abandonment rate was 21% for LGBTQ+ callers, nearly double the 11% rate for general 988 calls. Wait times averaged 60 seconds, double the general line. The service needed more funding. It got zero.
What 90% Means
The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey found that 90% of LGBTQ+ youth said their well-being was negatively impacted by recent politics. 66% experienced anxiety symptoms. 53% experienced depression. 45% of transgender and nonbinary youth had considered moving states because of LGBTQ+ politics.
These are not abstract numbers. A 15-year-old in Tennessee who was texting “PRIDE” to 988 at 2 a.m. because her parents found out she was gay and kicked her out of her room now reaches a general counselor who may not know what a GSA is, what SB 14 did, or why “just talk to your parents” is not advice that applies.
The Trevor Project Is Still There
If you or someone you know needs support:
The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or visit TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help.
Trans Lifeline: Call 1-877-565-8860.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (general service, still operational).
What Was Proven and What Was Taken
The 988 LGBTQ+ subnetwork proved three things in three years. First, that LGBTQ+ youth will reach out when there is someone trained to listen. Second, that demand grows when the service exists. Third, that texting matters more than calling for this population.
All three of those findings were ignored when the service was terminated.
Read more on the LGBTQ Rights hub and the youth mental health brief.