June 26, 2025

Looks to options for LA County to step up to fill potential gaps

Los Angeles, CA – This week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced its intent to end federal funding for specialized services that route calls made to 988, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to LGBTQ+ counseling. Currently, callers can press 3 after dialing 988 to get routed to a call line operated by the Trevor Project, which receives the calls and then provides over-the-phone counseling specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. SAMHSA intends to cut the funding for that 24/7 service by July 17.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn released the following statement.

“No vulnerable community is safe from the cruelty of the Trump administration. Cutting funding for these specialized services could have devastating consequences for LGBTQ+ youth, a community we know already faces extraordinary challenges. I will be filing a motion so that we can fully understand the impact that these horrific actions by the federal government will have on those services, and how LA County can step up to protect our LGBTQ+ youth.”