This is part of Kentucky Youth Advocates’ series on the federal landscape and the impacts on Kentucky children and families. 

On July 16, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline celebrates its third anniversary since launching as a shorter, easier-to-remember number. Since 2022, the line has become a vital support for people experiencing a mental health crisis, providing someone to talk to at any time through phone, text, or chat.

The effectiveness of the line has been well documented, with a recent study finding that among people who called while experiencing suicidal thoughts, 88% said the call stopped them from taking their own life and 98% said that the call helped them. Respondents shared that what helped most was having a counselor who truly listened, made them feel understood, and worked with them to create a plan to stay safe.

What the Data Says in Kentucky

The need for 988 in Kentucky remains urgent, particularly for our youth and young adults. According to data from the CDC, in 2023:

The 2023 Kentucky Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that among high school students:

  • 18.6% seriously considered attempting suicide
  • 14.1% made a plan for how they would attempt suicide
  • 8.6% attempted suicide
  • 2.9% had a suicide attempt that required medical care

988 Specialized Services

LGBTQ+ youth face even greater risk of suicide, tied to the unique stressors they experience including discrimination, bullying, fear of rejection and limited access to support. In Kentucky, 43% of LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 to 24 said they seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year and 14% attempted suicide. 

To address this need, the 988 Lifeline launched a dedicated LGBTQ+ option, “Press 3,” in September 2022. The line connected young people with counselors trained to provide affirming, culturally competent care. The service has responded to over 1.48 million contacts, including 69,000 this past May. 

Despite the frequent usage, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced that the dedicated LGBTQ+ youth and young adult line will be terminated on July 17. Additionally, the proposed federal budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) eliminates funding for LGBTQ+ specific crisis services.

With these cuts, LGBTQ+ youth will lose access to a service that was built to meet their needs, and one where they are able to feel safe, supported and heard. 

What’s Next?

As Congress negotiates the 2026 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services, Kentuckians can reach out to their federal lawmakers and urge them to maintain full funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, including services tailored to LGBTQ+ youth so that every young person in crisis can connect with trained, culturally competent counselors they can trust.