A protest is planned outside Trump Tower in New York City over the federal government’s plan to end the 988 suicide prevention lifeline’s option for LGBTQ+ youth next week.<\/p>\n
The rally outside President Trump’s home on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is expected to start at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
988 suicide lifeline option for LGBTQ+ callers to be terminated<\/p>\n
The Trump administration ordered the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to shut down<\/a> its LGBTQ+ suicide prevention service next week.<\/p>\n Advocates argue the 988 hotline’s specialized affirming counselors are\u00a0crucial mental health resources<\/a>\u00a0for LGBTQ+ youth across the U.S. Discontinuing it would directly impact more than 1.3 million children in crisis, they said.\u00a0<\/p>\n A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson\u00a0told CBS News<\/a> the specialized option, which is managed by a third party outside the federal government, ran out of congressionally directed funding.\u00a0<\/p>\n “On July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the ‘Press 3 option,’ to focus on serving\u00a0all\u00a0help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option,” a prior\u00a0statement<\/a>\u00a0from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration read.\u00a0<\/p>\n LGBTQ+ callers can continue to rely on the\u00a0hotline’s general services<\/a>, SAMHSA said.\u00a0<\/p>\n A youth mental health crisis<\/p>\n The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that has worked with the 988 lifeline since 2022, said shutting down the LGBTQ+ option could cost lives and crisis workers their jobs.<\/p>\n “It this program goes away, the question is, will they feel comfortable reaching out?” Mark Henson, the Trevor Project’s interim VP for advocacy and government affairs, said<\/p>\n The nonprofit said 39% of LGBTQ+ young New Yorkers seriously considered suicide in the past year and 12% attempted suicide.\u00a0<\/p>\n “LGBTQ youth in our country are experiencing a mental health crisis,” Henson said. “That’s the reason why these services were set up so that tailored care can be available to help keep them alive.”\u00a0<\/p>\n A recent study also revealed LGBTQ+ youth are four-times more likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Cutting services for LGBTQ youth through the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline will really have devastating and deadly consequences,” Rachael Fried, executive director of Jewish Queer Youth<\/a>, said. “The fact that it exists, it sends a message that queer youth actually matter.”\u00a0<\/p>\n More than 100 House members signed a letter in May urging the health department to preserve the LGBTQ+ option, and seven senators signed a similar letter.<\/p>\n If you or someone you know needs help, you can call or text 988 to speak with a trained, caring counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also chat online with a counselor at\u00a0988lifeline.org<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Mark Prussin<\/a><\/p>\n contributed to this report.\n <\/p>\n \n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n