SAMHSA To End Specialized 988 Pilot For LGB+ Youth  

On June 17, 2025, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) will no longer separate calls from lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other sexual orientation (LGB+) youth as of July 17, 2025. Instead, the 988 Lifeline will focus on serving all help-seekers in mental health crisis or emotional distress, with suicidal thoughts, or in crisis due to substance misuse. ;

The 988 Lifeline provides access to skilled, culturally competent crisis counselors. Since its launch in July 2022, the 988 Helpline has received 14,568,848 contacts (via calls . . .