Protect LGBTQ+ Youth: Don't Allow Cuts to 988 Crisis Lifeline Services
Protect LGBTQ+ Youth: Don't Allow Cuts to 988 Crisis Lifeline Services
The Issue
To: Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA leadership, and Members of the U.S. Congress,
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was established to provide immediate, accessible mental health support to everyone in crisis. Since its launch in July 2022, it has answered over 10 million contacts, offering a vital resource for individuals across the nation.
Among its critical services is specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth, a group disproportionately affected by mental health challenges. Recent data reveals that approximately 40% of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered suicide, with 1 in 10 attempting it. Alarmingly, 60% of those who sought mental health care were unable to access it.
The LGBTQ+ specialized services within the 988 Lifeline have been instrumental in addressing this crisis. Since their inception, these services have managed over 1.2 million contacts, providing life-saving support to those in need.
However, a leaked draft budget from the Department of Health and Human Services proposes eliminating federal funding for these specialized services . This move is not just a budgetary decision; it's a politically charged action that undermines the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth.
We call on Congress and all relevant government agencies to:
-Fully fund and preserve the LGBTQ+ specialized services within the 988 Lifeline.
-Ensure that 988 remains a trauma-informed, inclusive, and accessible resource for all individuals in crisis.
-Commit to transparency and community involvement in decisions affecting marginalized groups.
Take Action:
After signing this petition, please take an additional step:
1. Contact Your Elected Officials: Visit https://www.congress.gov/members or https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative to find your representatives.
2. Reach Out: Call or email them to express your support for full funding of LGBTQ+ services in the 988 Lifeline. Emphasize that cutting these services endangers lives and is unacceptable.
3. Spread the Word: Share this petition within your community, local LGBTQ+ centers, advocacy groups, and on social media platforms.
Mental health care is a right, not a political battleground. Let's stand together to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Sign now and make your voice heard. Lives depend on it.
14
The Issue
To: Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA leadership, and Members of the U.S. Congress,
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was established to provide immediate, accessible mental health support to everyone in crisis. Since its launch in July 2022, it has answered over 10 million contacts, offering a vital resource for individuals across the nation.
Among its critical services is specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth, a group disproportionately affected by mental health challenges. Recent data reveals that approximately 40% of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered suicide, with 1 in 10 attempting it. Alarmingly, 60% of those who sought mental health care were unable to access it.
The LGBTQ+ specialized services within the 988 Lifeline have been instrumental in addressing this crisis. Since their inception, these services have managed over 1.2 million contacts, providing life-saving support to those in need.
However, a leaked draft budget from the Department of Health and Human Services proposes eliminating federal funding for these specialized services . This move is not just a budgetary decision; it's a politically charged action that undermines the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth.
We call on Congress and all relevant government agencies to:
-Fully fund and preserve the LGBTQ+ specialized services within the 988 Lifeline.
-Ensure that 988 remains a trauma-informed, inclusive, and accessible resource for all individuals in crisis.
-Commit to transparency and community involvement in decisions affecting marginalized groups.
Take Action:
After signing this petition, please take an additional step:
1. Contact Your Elected Officials: Visit https://www.congress.gov/members or https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative to find your representatives.
2. Reach Out: Call or email them to express your support for full funding of LGBTQ+ services in the 988 Lifeline. Emphasize that cutting these services endangers lives and is unacceptable.
3. Spread the Word: Share this petition within your community, local LGBTQ+ centers, advocacy groups, and on social media platforms.
Mental health care is a right, not a political battleground. Let's stand together to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Sign now and make your voice heard. Lives depend on it.
14
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Petition created on April 29, 2025