As a therapist deeply committed to trauma-informed and affirmative care, I know how vital crisis resources are, especially for LGBTQIA+ youth who experience some of the highest rates of suicidality across populations. When I read that the Department of Health and Human Services may cut funding for LGBTQ-specific services within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, my heart sank—to many, this may merely be a matter of nitty-gritty details regarding government spending, but as a counselor, I know this could be a matter of fatality.
According to a leaked federal budget proposal reported by NPR, HHS plans to eliminate funding that supports the routing of LGBTQ+ callers to specially trained crisis counselors. This means LGBTQ+ youth in distress may no longer be guaranteed access to someone who understands their lived experience and might instead face providers untrained in LGBTQ-affirming care, or worse, be retraumatized while in a highly vulnerable state.
This potential rollback is not just administrative—it’s a threat to lives. Queer and trans youth already face disproportionately high rates of suicidal ideation, and affirming crisis care can be the difference between reaching out and staying silent.
If you identify as part of LGBTQ+ youth, or are someone who cares for one, please know: you are not alone, andmeaningful and affirmative help exists. This post offers a list of accessible and safe resources, why they matter, and how to use them safely.
Why LGBTQ+ Youth Need Affirming Crisis Resources
According to the Trevor Project’s 2023 National Survey, 41% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year—including nearly 50% of transgender and nonbinary youth.
These numbers aren’t always reflective of internal struggles and flaws so much as the external pressures, challenges, and prejudices the LGBTQ+ community is often faced with, such as:
- Family rejection or abandonment
- Discriminatory laws and political attacks
- Limited access to gender-affirming care
- School-based bullying and violence
- Stigma in healthcare and mental health systems
988 was a step forward—but it wasn’t perfect. Many LGBTQ+ individuals report being misgendered, invalidated, or even forcibly hospitalized without consent. With the specialized LGBTQ+ line at risk, it’s critical to know your options and turn to affirming, community-rooted support.
Affirming Alternatives to 988: LGBTQ+ Crisis Lines That Center You
These services were created by LGBTQ+ people for LGBTQ+ people. They prioritize safety, identity affirmation, and trauma-informed care.
1. The Trevor Project
- Call: 1-866-488-7386
- Text: Text “START” to 678-678
- Chat: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/
- Availability: 24/7
- Audience: LGBTQ+ youth under 25
- Why It Stands Out:
- Crisis counselors are specifically trained in queer and trans issues.
- Available through multiple mediums 24/7 (text, call, chat)
- Confidential
- Police intervention is avoided unless absolutely necessary.
2. Trans Lifeline
- Website: https://translifeline.org/
- Call: 1-877-565-8860
- Availability: 24/7
- Audience: Trans and nonbinary people
- Why It Stands Out:
- Fully anonymous—no caller ID, geolocation, call tracing, do not ask for name, number, location, etc. unless you provide it.
- Identifying information cannot be given to emergency or law enforcement services.
- Peer-led and trans-operated.
- No non-consensual emergency responses ever.
- Fully anonymous—no caller ID, geolocation, call tracing, do not ask for name, number, location, etc. unless you provide it.
3. Give Us the Floor
- Website: www.giveusthefloor.org
- Services: Confidential, teen-led support groups for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–19, hosted via a safe, monitored Discord server
- Why It Stands Out:
- Offers sustained, peer-based emotional support—not a crisis line, but a community of validation and shared experience to help teens feel less alone.
- Groups instead of one-on-one conversations
- Preventative and supportive rather than acute crisis help
4. LGBT National Help Center
- Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-7743
- Online Chat: www.lgbthotline.org
- Availability: 2-11 PM EST Monday – Friday; 12-5 PM EST Saturdays
- Why It Stands Out:
- Confidential support by trained LGBTQIA+ peers
- No chatbots or AI
- Help finding affirming resources locally, regardless of location
- Provides a safe space not just for crisis, but topics such as coming out, safe sex, relationships, and more.
If You’re in Crisis: Safety Planning and Knowing Your Rights
Even with the best intentions, not all crisis responses are safe, especially when police or emergency hospitalization is involved. Reaching out is difficult and can incite fear and distrust, especially when matters of your identity are involved. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and take proactive steps:
- Create a Safety Plan: Use the Beyond Now webpage to build a personalized, easy-to-follow safety plan on your phone or laptop. It helps you identify warning signs, coping strategies, and trusted contacts to reach out to when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
- Download from App Store
- Download from Play Store
- Know Your Triggers: Reflect on what tends to lead you toward a crisis point. Journaling or speaking with a therapist can help identify these patterns. List the triggers and what disrupts the distress in an easily accessible format so you can avoid triggers, plan proactively, and calm yourself in moments of crisis.
- List Safe Contacts: Make a short list of people who affirm your identity and are willing to be a support contact.
- Set Boundaries with Crisis Lines: You have the right to ask questions about their process and state, “Please don’t call emergency services without my consent.”
For Allies, Parents, and Providers: What You Can Do
If you love LGBTQ+ youth—or work with them—this is your moment to take action.
Here’s how:
- Share this post and its resources widely—in schools, clinics, online spaces.
- Donate to LGBTQ+-affirming crisis lines like Trans Lifeline or The Trevor Project.
- Call your representatives to urge continued funding for 988’s LGBTQ+ services. Use tools like 5 Calls to make it quick.
- Get trained in crisis support for queer youth. Consider The Trevor Project’s free Ally Training.
Therapy as an Ongoing Support
I work with LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples here at Darby Integrative Counseling, and I understand that crisis support is only the first step. Crisis does not occur in a vacuum—therapy gives you the space to process what brought you to the edge, not just pull you back from it, as well as the tools to prevent it from happening again.
I hold space for both your resilience and your pain. I work with individuals navigating identity, trauma, rejection and bullying, relationships, grief, and suicidal ideation, offering support grounded in affirmation, compassion, and cultural awareness.
You don’t have to wait until things are unbearable. You deserve to be supported now.
Let’s Talk
Have you or someone you know ever had a harmful or unhelpful experience calling a crisis line? Or are you just looking for a space that sees and accepts all of you?
Schedule a consultation with me here. We can work together to rebuild safety, agency, and belonging—even when the systems meant to help fall short.