Federal funding cuts end suicide lifeline's LGBTQ+ youth services sparking safety concerns
News Channel 3 | by Teanna Barnes
Published July 17, 2025
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Among the Trump Administration's sweeping federal funding cuts is the termination of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline LGB+ youth services, also known as the "Press 3 option."
As of Thursday, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ services, and callers will be fielded to local crisis centers, such as Gryphon Place in Kalamazoo.
"Gryphon Place is probably taking around 2,000 to 3,000 calls a month," CEO Maricela Alcala said. Those monthly calls don't include press 3 calls, since prior to the termination, the LGBTQ+ services have been provided through an unknown third party employing those specialized in LGBTQ+ youth.
According to Alcala, the termination of the specialized line for queer youth means Gryphon Place is preparing for a possible influx of calls.
"We're talking about people's lives," Alcala said, noting the crisis center for Southwest Michigan deals with callers in crisis who need support.
"No matter how many resources you give someone, it's hard to fight with the unfortunate conditioning they've had to go through," OutFront Kalamazoo's Legacy House Manager Ashley Ramey said.
Ramey manages LGBTQ+ young adults aged 18-24 and said many of her residents regularly use the Press 3 option.
"They've been homeless, they've been told the people they care about don't care about them," Ramey said. "That line, in the moments of, when they're alone in their space, when they're alone with their thoughts, and sometimes they get too much, is an invaluable resource they have of knowing they can connect with people who understand what they're going through."
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said in a statement, "Continued operation of Press 3 would have required SAMHSA to reallocate funds away from supporting the main 988 Lifeline thereby compromising the entire system...More than $33 million in funds have been spent on the Press 3 option, fully exhausting the Congressionally directed funds for LGB+ subnetwork services..."
Since the announcement, Gryphon Place has been partnering with local LGBTQ+ resource and advocacy center, OutFront Kalamazoo, for guidance and training on how to better serve the queer community who will be without the Press 3 option.
"When this hotline goes away, one of the easiest and most accessible and most well informed methods for people to get that support will disappear," Connar Klock, OutFront's Drop-In Facilitator said. "Local centers like OutFront are going to see a massive increase in people reaching out to us, we will have less resources to direct them towards, and we will start to have a capacity problem where we won't be able to handle the volume of people reaching out for help."
According to Alcala, Ramey, and Klock, the biggest concern is that queer youth in crisis won't call 988 at all, fearing the person on the other end of the line won't be able to truly understand their struggles.
"[For example,] I am from a bilingual family. If I don't speak English, I'm not going to call the line that speaks English," Alcala said. "In that same way, having a specialized line created, it was breaking down a barrier to access a service. So, I'm actually more concerned about individuals who won't feel comfortable reaching out."
Despite the stress it may cause on advocates and support staff, both Gryphon Place and OutFront are committing to supporting all callers, no matter their sexual orientation.
"I don't want any youth out there, LGBT or otherwise, any adult, any person out there, to think that just because someone beyond this has decided to take away this very vital resource to them, that they shouldn't still reach out. Every day, it's worth it," Ramey said.
988 is available via call or text 24/7. Dispatchers don't inquire about your sexual orientation when you call, and they're prepared to help any and everyone. For more information on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, click here.