988 hotline change: Tucson’s LGBTQ youth lose vital support | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – The Trump administration has eliminated a crucial feature of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, impacting LGBTQ youth. Previously, callers could press 3 to connect with counselors trained in youth issues, but this option is no longer available.

Jeff Myers-Fulgham, president of Tucson Pride, expressed concern over the change.

“When you’re questioning your sexuality or you are having a crisis, you want somebody that is part of your community,” Myers-Fulgham said.

Myers-Fulgham explained why LGBTQ youth might struggle with the absence of this specialized support.

“If I’m in a crisis I don’t want to go to a straight cis male to help me. They’re not going to understand,” Myers-Fulgham said.

Since July 2022, LGBTQ individuals under 25 could dial 988 and press 3 for specialized counseling. However, this option was removed on Thursday.

“It’s going to make it where there are people that are not going to want to go to those services, they’re not going to feel comfortable enough,” Myers-Fulgham said.

The decision has sparked backlash within the LGBTQ Tucson community and its allies.

“I think it’s a shame,” said Michelle Omeara, an LGBTQ ally.

“I think that that’s a service that was really needed for people that are of higher risk of mental illness and suicide,” said Scout Becker, another ally.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which helped run the Press 3 option, stated that all 988 callers will continue to receive compassion and help. HHS explained that the program ended due to a lack of congressional funding, and reallocating funds would have severely impacted the 988 service as a whole.

“Just because they’re getting rid of these programs, that’s not going to make us go away,” Myers-Fulgham said.

Despite the change, other options for 988 callers remain available, including pressing 1 for veterans or service members seeking specialized services and 2 for Spanish speakers.

For LGBTQ youth seeking specialized counseling during a crisis call the non-profit organization “The Trevor Project” at 1-866-488-7386, or visit their website by clicking here.