In the United States, a national support program that offered suicide prevention services specifically for LGBTQ+ youth has been abruptly shut down.
The organization behind the effort, which had been providing crisis counseling via the federally supported 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, received notice that its services would be discontinued within a month.
The team, led by mental health advocate Nordeen, had worked for nearly three years supporting young queer individuals through specialized crisis intervention.
The news of the cancellation arrived just minutes after a team meeting, leaving staff and volunteers struggling to process the closure.
While reasons behind the termination were not fully disclosed, the decision sparked concern among LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and mental health professionals.
Despite the shutdown, Nordeen and her colleagues are focusing on ways to provide remaining support to youth in need during the transition period.
The team is now working to ensure that at-risk individuals can still access care and be directed to other resources available through national and local networks.
The removal of LGBTQ-specific support from a national suicide hotline has raised questions about continuity of care and the visibility of queer mental health needs in federal programs.
Advocates argue that LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges, including discrimination, family rejection, and social stigma, which increase their risk of suicide and emotional crisis.
Currently, 988 continues to operate, but the loss of dedicated LGBTQ+ services has created a gap that many fear could leave vulnerable individuals without safe, affirming support.
Mental health groups are now pushing for a long-term solution that includes queer representation and targeted intervention within national crisis system.