In the middle of Pride Month, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced that they are eliminating the specialized and lifesaving services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, effective July 17. Tell your legislators why we must protect these important specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth.

 

 

LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide as their peers, so this line, also known as the “Press 3” option, is a true lifeline. This line connects youth and young adults in the LGBTQ+ community with trained counselors, many of whom have lived experience, who offer timely, compassionate support from a place of genuine understanding. “Press 3” 988 contacts accounted for roughly 10 percent of all contacts to 988, or about 1.3 million contacts.

For our LGBTQ+ young people, having a safe, supportive space that they can trust and being able to talk with someone who understands and validates them is critical – and it saves lives. Your members of Congress need to hear from you on why Congress should reverse this decision and how important and lifesaving these specialized services are for the LGBTQ+ community. Write to your elected officials today!

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