By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBTQ News
WASHINGTON, D.C. — (October 1, 2026) — LGBTQ young people contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline once again have access to specialized crisis support after the federal “Press 3” service returned Wednesday, ending a shutdown that lasted more than 14 months.
The 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services resumed on September 30, restoring an option that had been unavailable since July 17, 2025.
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The service allows LGBTQ young people contacting 988 to connect with crisis counselors trained to provide specialized support. The program began as a pilot in 2022, with The Trevor Project playing a central role in its launch before the service expanded into a broader network of crisis centers.
Its return follows more than a year of congressional pressure and a bipartisan push to restore federal funding for the program.
From Shutdown to Restoration
The Trump administration’s plans to eliminate the specialized service became public in 2025. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) challenged the proposal in May, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced in June that the LGBTQ+ youth specialized services would end the following month.
The shutdown took effect July 17, 2025.
LGBTQ youth could continue using the general 988 Lifeline, but the dedicated option connecting them with specialized services was eliminated.
Baldwin, a member of the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, subsequently helped advance fiscal year 2026 funding that provided $535 million for the overall 988 Lifeline — a $15 million increase — while restoring dedicated funding for specialized LGBTQ youth services.
Congress ultimately provided $33.1 million toward restoring the specialized LGBTQ youth service.
Baldwin and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have also pursued a more permanent legislative safeguard.
Their bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act, introduced in September 2025, would require the Department of Health and Human Services to dedicate resources to establishing, operating and maintaining specialized 988 services for LGBTQ young people.
A House companion was introduced by U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) alongside Reps. Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.).
The legislation remains separate from the federal funding measure that required the service’s restoration. The effort to establish more permanent statutory protections for the specialized service continues in Congress.
Baldwin Welcomes the Return
Baldwin, who helped lead congressional efforts to restore Press 3, said the specialized service should never have disappeared.
“This lifesaving resource never should have gone away in the first place, but I am glad the lifesaving support Press 3 provides is once again there for people who need it,” said Baldwin.
The Wisconsin senator said she turned to federal legislation after concluding congressional action was necessary to require restoration of the service.
“I’ve fought tooth and nail to restore this lifesaving resource,” added Baldwin. “When I realized the Trump administration was not going to do it on their own, I wrote it into federal law to require them to restore the Press 3 option.”
Krishnamoorthi also welcomed the restoration, saying LGBTQ young people reaching out during a crisis should have access to counselors trained to understand and support them.
“I’m proud that we secured the funding to restore this lifesaving LGBTQ+ crisis line and successfully pressured the Trump administration to bring the program back,” said Krishnamoorthi.
“This program should never have been taken away, and now we need to make sure it stays available for every young person who needs it.”
The Trevor Project Celebrates the Return
The Trevor Project, which helped pilot the specialized 988 service in 2022, welcomed its restoration while continuing to operate its own crisis services for LGBTQ young people.
There is, however, an important difference between the restored federal service and the program that operated before July 2025.
The Trevor Project is not currently a provider in the restored federal Press 3 network.
The organization submitted a proposal to participate in the rebuilt service but announced earlier this year that it had not been selected as a provider.
Despite that decision, Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black celebrated the return of the national resource.
“We are grateful to see that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s ‘Press 3’ specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth have been restored,” said Black. “Resuming this national resource will be critical in addressing the public health crisis of suicide among LGBTQ+ young people, and supporting the estimated more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth who seriously consider attempting suicide in the U.S. each year.”
Black also thanked the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, mental health advocates, allies and young people who pushed for the service’s restoration.
“We will monitor the launch and usage of these important services to ensure all LGBTQ+ youth are supported with clinically best standards,” said Black.
The Trevor Project has said its own crisis services remain available independently of the federal Press 3 program.
Press 3 Returns, but the Policy Fight Isn’t Finished
The September 30 restoration settles the immediate question of whether LGBTQ young people can once again access specialized crisis support through 988.
It does not settle the longer-running debate in Washington over the program’s future.
The bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act seeks to establish specialized services more firmly in federal law rather than leaving their continued operation dependent primarily on annual funding and administrative policy.
For now, however, a specialized crisis resource unavailable for more than a year is operating again.
People experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free and confidential support.
The Trevor Project separately provides crisis support for LGBTQ young people by phone, text and online chat.
Follow JRL CHARTS LGBTQ Health Services News for continuing coverage of LGBTQ youth, mental health policy and the federal decisions shaping access to crisis services nationwide.
His reporting focuses on federal court rulings, legislative developments, international human rights issues, and government actions impacting LGBTQ communities worldwide.
With nearly two decades of experience, Goldberg is recognized for his balanced analysis, investigative insight, and commitment to accurate, fact-based journalism that informs readers on the political forces shaping equality and justice.
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