Dire results will follow end of LGBTQ+ crisis line
By The Herald Editorial Board
The Trump administration’s unkind cuts — and their consequences — only continue.
Among the latest was the announcement last month that federal funding for a suicide and crisis line dedicated for LGBTQ+ youths and young adults had been eliminated from the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline service, as reported this week by The Herald’s Jenna Peterson.
Since 2022, when it started as a pilot program through the nonprofit Trevor Project, the service has offered suicide and crisis counseling to those who call 988 with an option to select specially trained counselors for LGBTQ+ youths. In Washington state, it’s one of three dedicated options — Option 3 — that also offer counseling for military veterans and for the indigenous community through the Native and Strong Lifeline.
Beginning in 2023, the Everett-based Volunteers of America Western Washington’s Behavioral Health Crisis Care Center has been one of seven centers in the nation that serves LGBTQ+ youths and young adults since the program was expanded. The Everett location has staffed some of the program’s chat and text lines, a service that some find easier to communicate through. Nationwide, the LGBTQ+ service has made about 1.5 million contacts since its expansion from the pilot project.
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-dire-results-will-follow-end-of-lgbtq-crisis-line/
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