The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has committed to preserving dedicated mental health support for LGBTQIA+ youth on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, stepping in after the federal government ended funding for specialized LGBTQIA+ services last month. The move ensures that, despite the loss of federal dollars, young LGBTQIA+ Illinoisans in crisis will still be met with trained, affirming counselors when they reach out for help.
Since its launch in 2022, the 988 Lifeline featured a specialized subnetwork of crisis counselors trained to work with LGBTQ+ youth and adults under 25, a group at disproportionately high risk for suicide. Nationally, LGBTQIA+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide as their peers. In Illinois alone, this subnetwork handled over 1,600 calls and 600 chats or texts each month before the federal cuts.
Federal authorities discontinued funding for the LGBTQIA+-specific option on July 17, effectively ending the “press 3” feature that had routed callers to specially trained counselors.
“The Trump Administration’s decision to end these specialized services is a cruel reversal of proven practices,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “Unequivocally, in Illinois, we stand side by side with each member of the LGBTQIA+ community, including transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming youth. If you need help and you call 988, you’ll be met with the compassion, competence and respect.”
IDHS is not only preserving the current level of care but also working to expand crisis counselor training focused on LGBTQIA+ youth. Efforts are underway to boost the visibility of the 988 Lifeline in LGBTQIA+ communities, develop affirming messaging, and ensure Illinois call centers have access to relevant, culturally competent referral resources.
The Broader Picture: Mental Health Crisis Among LGBTQIA+ Youth
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth aged 10 to 14 and the third among those aged 15 to 24.
- Nearly 40% of LGBTQIA+ youth reported seriously considering suicide within the last year, and 12% attempted it.
- Many LGBTQIA+ youth struggle to access mental health care, with over half reporting unmet needs
Illinois residents can call or text 988 for support, 24/7, in both English and Spanish. No identifying information is required, and what is shared is not stored. For LGBTQIA+ youth and anyone in crisis, the message from Illinois is clear: help is still available, and nobody has to face these challenges alone.
