Five months after the Trump administration closed a crisis and suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, Los Angeles County launched an effort to try to create its own hotline to fill the void.
In July, the Trump Administration removed the “press 3” option from the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which previously connected LGBTQ+ youth with specially trained counselors.
At the time, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which funds the 988 hotline, said it would not “isolate services for LGB+ youth” but instead focus on serving all who seek help.
Losing the “press 3” option has been devastating for young people struggling with mental health crises, emotional stress and suicidal ideation, said Janice Hahn, supervisor of Los Angeles County District 4, whose coverage area covers Rancho Palos Verdes, Lakewood, Vernon and Whittier.
Hahn and District 3 Supervisor Lindsey Horvath led an effort to evaluate the impact of losing “press 3” and found that more than 14% of the 5.1 million 988 callers chose to use this option in the last year before the service was terminated.
“It wasn't just a policy change, it was a message to LGBTQ+ youth that their needs didn't matter,” Hahn said. “But Los Angeles County will not turn its back on our LGBTQ+ youth. Not now, not ever.”
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to direct the county Department of Mental Health to try to develop a local “press 3” pilot program.
Establishing a local program requires approval from the federal agency that eliminated the service with a formal request coming from the California Health and Human Services Agency, according to a county report.
If approved, Vibrant, the company that manages the 988 phone tree that directs callers to specialized subnets such as the “press 3” option for LGBTQ+ trained counselors, would restore the “press 3” option for Los Angeles County callers.
The county would then have to identify and fund one or more crisis intervention service providers contracted to provide the LGBTQ+-focused crisis service.
Long term, the county has also supported adding a “press 3” option to the entire state of California through active and future legislation.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) introduced the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act in September that would require the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth and set aside no less than 9% of 988 Lifeline funds each year to sustain and strengthen those services. The legislation is being reviewed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
