The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline service is no longer offering specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth.
As of Thursday, people who call 988 will no longer have the option to "Press 3," a line specific to LGBTQ+ youth considering suicide. This decision is part of a recent U.S Department of Health and Human Services announcement to eliminate federal funding for the service dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth services.
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However, there will still be assistance for that community here in North Carolina.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) said they are still committed to responding to everyone who needs mental health services. The department said everyone can and should still call 988, including members of the LGBTQ+ community.
State health and human services leaders said callers will speak to general counselors trained to provide assistance.
WXII spoke with NCDHHS director of mental health, developmental disabilities and substance use services, Kelly Crosbie, about how NCDHHS is working to fill the gaps to support these youth groups.
“Despite the end of federal funding, we are here,” said Crosbie.
However, the loss of that specific resource has worried Crosbie and other LGBTQ+ advocacy groups about how these changes might make youth feel isolated or discouraged from reaching out for help.
Crosbie told WXII that 988 in North Carolina is equipped to serve anyone in crisis, despite the funding loss.
According to WXII, the agency is also working to provide funding to community organizations that support queer people and connect with local counselors. Little Seed Counseling in Greensboro said the federal changes are potentially harmful.
"Any time a resource is lost, it can create fear," said Cynthia McSwain, a therapist at Little Seed. "And so the continuation of empowering places, educated places, compassionate places, inclusive places is really important."
The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, found that 84% of LGBTQ+ youths wanted psychological or emotional counseling from a mental health professional in the last 12 months. But half of those who wanted mental health care did not receive it.
The organization also found that 42% of LGBTQ+ youth were most afraid to talk to someone about mental health concerns. People who struggled with gender identity were more likely to report barriers related to worries about not being taken seriously, or fears that accessing care would result in someone calling the police or being involuntarily hospitalized.