The city of Green Bay raised the Progress Pride flag at city hall in recognition of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, June 7, 2022. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The portion of the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that’s dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ youth is seeing cuts by the Trump administration.
Services for the subsection known as the “Press 3 Option” will end July 17.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The risk of suicide is higher within the LGBTQ+ community.
The recent announcement to cut services for LGBTQ+ youth through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is causing concern in Northeast Wisconsin.
“It says to the world, ‘We are no longer going to accept LGBTQIA2S+ community identities and we’re not going to serve that community in particular,”‘ Outagamie County Board of Supervisors member Dana Johnson said.
Johnson is also involved with Fox Valley Pride.
He said there’s already a lack of mental health resources in the world, and cutting the subsection of the 988 hotline meant to help LGBTQ+ youth will only make matters worse.
“To decrease that in a time when that is the largest epidemic that we’re facing in America, I think is probably pretty short sighted at this time,” Johnson said.
The announcement of cuts was made last week by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It said cutting the “Press Option 3” will allow it to better focus on serving everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community.
In a news release, they said in part:
Everyone who contacts the 988 Lifeline will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counselors who can help with suicidal, substance misuse, or mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress. Anyone who calls the Lifeline will continue to receive compassion and help.
But LGBTQ+ advocates say that won’t necessarily be the case. They argue personalized care for their community will go away, making it more difficult for 988 operators to properly connect with LGBTQ+ youth efficiently.
“We have certain language that is not necessarily foreign to those around us, but those around us don’t necessarily know how to use it in a way that is affirming for people,” Rainbow Alliance Advocacy Executive Director Mel Davis said.
Davis works with many LGBTQ+ youth, many of which she has referred to Option 3 of 988. She said youth are less likely to seek help and worries these cuts create a roadblock and may prevent them from asking for help.
“It’s really important to be able to access emotional support when you need it,” Davis said.
FOX 11 also reached out to Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin. They were unavailable for an interview, but are urging for support for the LGBTQ+ 988 subnetwork.
“To our LGBTQI+ community: You are loved, you are seen, you matter—and you are never alone,” Vice President of Programs and Strategy for Family Services Tana Ross said in a statement. “Family Services and the entire 988 network are here for you with support and compassion, every day, at every moment.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, be sure to dial 988 for immediate assistance.
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