Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/AP

The Biden administration has announced the shutdown of services for LGBTQ youth calling 988, the national suicide prevention hotline. Since its initiation in 2022, the hotline provided specialized support for LGBTQ youth, a group four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Last year alone, the service handled over 500,000 calls and texts, averaging around 2,100 contacts daily as of February.

Recently, the nonprofit Trevor Project, which contracts with the Department of Health and Human Services to assist with calls, received a notice to cease operations starting July 17. The Department stated that future services will aim to assist all callers without specific focus on LGB+ youth, with the update notably omitting references to transgender and queer individuals.

Critics warn this move could be a “death sentence” for many vulnerable youths. Former officials highlighted that the service was created specifically because of the high volume of calls from LGBTQ youth and emphasized that this change undermines crucial suicide prevention efforts. The decision also aligns with ongoing political debates, including a proposed budget cut in 2026 that would eliminate dedicated LGBTQ support on the hotline, which faced bipartisan opposition.

Advisors stress that the hotline’s focus on LGBTQ youth is vital, not a political issue, given the disproportionately high suicide risk among these populations. The timing of the shutdown, just before rulings on gender-affirming care, further heightens concerns about the current political climate’s impact on LGBTQ rights and mental health support.