US 988 restores specialist crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth
US 988 has restored specialist crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people. Find out what has returned and how to access help.
Specialist crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people has returned to the United States’ 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The dedicated Press 3 service resumed on 30 September 2026, following its closure on 17 July 2025.
The restoration follows congressional approval of $33.1 million to bring back the programme. It restores a specific LGBTQ+ youth support option within the national crisis service, although The Trevor Project is not participating in the restarted programme.
Jaymes Black, chief executive of The Trevor Project, welcomed its return in a statement published on 1 October. Black said: “We are grateful to see that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s ‘Press 3’ specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth have been restored.”
The charity estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people aged 13 to 24 seriously consider suicide each year in the US. That figure is an estimate of the number experiencing suicidal thoughts, rather than the number contacting a helpline.
LGBTQ+ young people are not inherently at greater risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Discrimination, rejection and mistreatment can contribute to that risk, while supportive relationships and accepting environments can help protect their wellbeing.
The Trevor Project originally piloted the specialist service in 2022. By November 2023, it was one of seven crisis centres providing dedicated support through the programme.
For the relaunch, applications were restricted to centres considered active within the 988 network. The Trevor Project had been classed as inactive following the closure and was formally notified on 3 August that it was ineligible to participate.
988 is the US telephone number for support with suicidal thoughts, mental health difficulties and emotional distress. Its services are free and available around the clock, with the wider Lifeline also accessible by text and online chat.
LGBTQ+ young people in the US can call 988 and press 3 to access the restored specialist telephone option. This announcement concerns the American service and does not introduce a 988 helpline in the UK.
The Trevor Project’s own crisis services remain available independently, so young people can still contact the charity directly. In the US, LGBTQ+ young people can call 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678 or use its online chat service.
