They seek to reinstate Suicide Prevention Hotline for LGBTQ+ youth
It was eliminated by Trump last July; and a third of all calls came from Los Angeles County
Supervisors Janice Hahn and Lindsey P. Horvath, along with Assemblyman Mark Gonzalez, have joined forces to reinstate a suicide crisis hotline focused on LGBTQ youth in Los Angeles County and California.
This comes after 988, the national suicide and crisis hotline specializing in supporting LGBTQ youth, Also known as the “Press 3” option, it was eliminated in July by the Trump Administration. While the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved two motions to restore the 988 connection, Assemblymember Gonzalez announced plans to introduce a bill to fund and reinstate a statewide dedicated hotline on a 988 subnetwork for LGBTQ+ youth in California. “The Press 3 option was a lifeline, and losing it has been devastating. It wasn’t just a policy change, but a message to LGBTQ+ youth that their needs didn’t matter,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn.
“Los Angeles County will not turn its back on our LGBTQ+ youth. Not now, not ever. That’s why we will work at all local, state, and federal levels to restore and protect this lifeline.”
In July, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) canceled federal funding for specialized services that allowed 988 callers to connect with LGBTQ+ youth counseling. Previously, callers could press 3 after dialing 988 to be redirected to a subnetwork of specialized call centers that offered telephone counseling specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. Over the past year, prior to the service's cancellation, more than 14% of the 5.1 million people who called 988 chose to use this press-3 option. “Removing the 'Press 3' option from the 988 Lifeline is a dangerous decision with real consequences for LGBTQ+ youth who rely on trained and supportive counselors during their most challenging times,” said Supervisor Horvath.“The youth in our community face disproportionate challenges; taking away this essential resource is unacceptable. We must restore this vital support and make it clear that all young people deserve to be heard, supported, and safe,” she added. LGBTQ+ youth in California account for a large portion of 988 calls: Before July 17, 2025, calling “988” and pressing “3” allowed those seeking help to be automatically redirected to a subnetwork of LGBTQ+ providers. The 988 LGBTQ+ youth subnetwork received 73,000 calls from California between July 2024 and June 2025, representing 9% of all calls to the subnetwork. In addition, between May 2024 and April 2025, the LGBTQ+ youth subnetwork received 680,127 calls, approximately 14%. of the 5,153,905 calls received by 988 during that period.
Los Angeles County accounted for one-third of the total volume of 988 calls in the state.
Assemblyman Gonzalez said he is not going to wait for the federal administration to realize what it has done.
“Lives are at stake right now, and every day we wait, more LGBTQ+ youth are pushed into crisis. If we stand idly by, thousands could die by suicide.”
He specified that before the cut, 1.5 million contacts were made through Press 3.
“This is not by chance, but because LGBTQ+ youth rely on this vital resource and lean on it in their most difficult moments. My bill will ensure that California does not abandon these young people. We will protect them and make sure that vital help is always just four digits away.”
The Centers The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 20% of surveyed students who identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual reported having attempted suicide, compared to 6% of their heterosexual peers. This rate rises to nearly 26% for transgender high school students.000 calls from California between July 2024 and June 2025, representing 9% of all calls to the subnetwork.
Additionally, between May 2024 and April 2025, the LGBTQ+ youth subnetwork received 680,127 calls, approximately 14% of the 5,153,905 calls received by 988 during that period.
Los Angeles County accounted for one-third of the total volume of calls to 988 in the state.
Assemblyman Gonzalez said he is not going to wait for the federal administration to realize what it has done.
“Lives are at stake right now, and every day we wait, more LGBTQ+ youth are pushed into crisis. If we stand idly by, thousands could die by suicide.”
He specified that before the cut, 1.5 million contacts were made through the Press 3.
“This doesn’t happen by chance, but because LGBTQ+ youth rely on this vital resource and lean on it in their most difficult times. My bill will ensure that California doesn’t abandon these young people. We will protect them and make sure that life-saving help is always just four digits away.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 20% of surveyed students who identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual reported having attempted suicide, compared to 6% of their heterosexual peers.
This rate rises to nearly 26% for transgender high school students.