December 9, 2025

The County will support state and federal legislation to reinstate the service while simultaneously developing proposal for local pilot program

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved two motions authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath that seek to move forward on efforts to reinstate the connection from 988—the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—to a specialized LGBTQ+ youth support line (otherwise known as the “Press 3” option) that was eliminated in July by the Trump Administration. In a press conference before the Board meeting, Hahn and Horvath were joined by California State Assemblymember Mark González, who plans to introduce legislation during the upcoming legislative cycle that would fund and re-instate a statewide specialized 988 subnetwork for LGBTQ+ youth across California.

“The Press 3 option was a lifeline, and losing it has been devastating. It wasn’t just a policy change—it was a message to LGBTQ+ young people that their needs didn’t matter,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “But LA County will not turn its back on our LGBTQ+ young people. Not now, not ever. So we are going to work at every level—local, state, and federal—to get this lifeline restored and protected for good.”

In July, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) ended federal funding for specialized services that allowed 988 callers to be connected to LGBTQ+ youth counseling. Previously, callers could press 3 after dialing 988 to get routed to a subnetwork of specialized call centers that provided over-the-phone counseling specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. In the last year before this service was terminated, over 14% of the 5.1 million 988 callers elected to use this Press 3 option.

“Eliminating the ‘Press 3’ option on the 988 Lifeline is a dangerous decision, with real consequences for LGBTQ+ youth, who rely on trained, affirming counselors in their darkest moments,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “Young people in our community face disproportionate challenges; taking away this critical resource is unacceptable. We must restore this lifesaving support and make clear that every young person deserves to be heard, supported, and safe. With today’s motion, Los Angeles County is joining federal and state leaders in demanding it be restored for every LGBTQ+ youth in need.”

“I am not waiting for this federal administration to realize what they’ve done,” said Assemblymember Mark González. “Lives are on the line right now, and every day we wait, more LGBTQ+ youth are pushed into crisis. If we stand by, thousands could be lost to suicide. Before this reckless cut, 1.5 million contacts were made to Press 3. That doesn’t happen by accident — that happens because LGBTQ+ youth trust this lifeline and rely on it in their darkest moments. Thanks to the leadership of Supervisor Hahn and Supervisor Horvath, my bill will ensure that California will not abandon these young people. We will step up, we will protect them, and we will make sure that life-saving help is always just four digits away.”

“We know that LGBTQ+ youth are hearing the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and it’s affecting their mental health. Even in supportive households, it’s not possible to block it all out. When youth are in crisis, they do reach out for help – from their friends, their family, and from suicide prevention hotlines. This Press 3 option gives hope and support for LGBTQ+ youth in their darkest moments, preventing them from doing something that cannot be undone,” said Sunitha Menon, Executive Director of the LA County LGBTQ+ Commission, who also spoke during today’s press conference.

The first of Hahn and Horvath’s two motions today both directs the County’s Department of Mental Health (DMH) to develop a proposal for a local “Press 3” pilot program and expresses the County’s support for the legislation that González plans to introduce to reinstate the service statewide. DMH operates the County’s 24/7 Alternative Crisis Response System, which includes the LA County 988 Call Center. This system seeks to reduce the reliance on law enforcement for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. In July—shortly before the federal cuts to the Press 3 option went into effect—Hahn and Horvath led the effort to evaluate the impact of the cuts and explore possible options for preserving it for Los Angeles County residents.

“The federal government may be turning its back on LGBTQ+ people, but here in LA County we’ll do everything within our power to keep this community safe,” said Hahn at the time. The pilot program that today’s motion greenlights is a direct result of Hahn and Horvath’s July motion and the resulting report by DMH.

Hahn and Horvath’s second motion expresses the County’s support for S. 2826,2—introduced by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)—and H.R. 5434,3—introduced by Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and co-sponsored by Representatives Michael Lawler (R-NY), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Seth Moulton (D-MA). These bipartisan bills, known collectively as the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025, would protect specialized mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth by codifying the “Press 3” option into law, and establishing dedicated resources to reinstate, operate, and maintain this service.

Full-size images from today’s press conference available below:
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