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Removal of 'Press 3' suicide hotline extension causes concern for LGBTQ+ youth mental health

Local nonprofits voice opposition to removal of LGBTQ+ extension from the National Suicide Hotline

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"Despite the change, Leach remains positive that Democratic leadership in Arizona, including Gov. Katie Hobbs, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Rep. Yassamin Ansari and Rep. Greg Stanton, will step up and bridge the gap."


The discontinuation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ extension has started difficult conversations for nonprofits across the Valley and nationwide.

On June 17, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced the "Press 3 option" would be discontinued one month later.

In a statement, SAMHSA said "the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the 'Press 3 option,' to focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option."

The extension, providing direct assistance for LGBTQ+ individuals, was created under the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 — signed into law during President Donald Trump’s first term.

The announcement came as a shock to nonprofits like the Valley of the Sun chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

"We strongly oppose this change," Kristina Sabetta, the NAMI Valley of the Sun chapter executive director, said. "It's dangerous and unacceptable."

Since launching in July 2022, counselors assisted over 1.3 million LGBTQ+ individuals through the hotline, Sabetta said.

Sabetta said she does not see the benefit to cutting the extension.

"By having the 'Press 3' line connected to 988, you have specially trained counselors who understand this community," Sabetta said.

The removal of this extension means counselors trained to assist LGBTQ+ individuals may be added to the general line, Sabetta said.

Calling a counselor who "understands gender identity, sexual identity ... that all immediately puts you in a safer place," Nate Rhoton, CEO of one•n•ten, said. "If you feel safe when you're in crisis, that's half the battle."

One•n•ten, a local nonprofit focused on creating a safe space for youth and young adults of the LGBTQ+ community, has taken this opportunity to vocalize their concerns.

Rhoton emphasized that young people experiencing mental health crises are the primary individuals utilizing the "Press 3" extension.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, "LGBTQ individuals are 2.5 times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse compared with heterosexual individuals."

READ MORE: BREAKING: ASU website changes 'LGBTQIA' to 'LGB' without University approval

Recent changes have greatly affected one•n•ten, cutting around $100,000 of annual Title X funding, Rhoton said. He said these funds were directly utilized for the organization’s sexual health education, suicide prevention and wellness programs.

Policy that targets the LGBTQ+ community causes additional harm and leads individuals to feel invisible, especially transgender individuals, Rhoton said.

"At the minimum, we will see higher rates of suicidal ideations and suicide and that, to me, should cause lawmakers across this country to stay up at night," Rhoton said.

Rhoton said there are additional organizations available for LGBTQ+ individuals, such as Prisma Community Care and The Trevor Project.

Prisma Community Care offers HIV and STI testing, gender affirming care and mental health assistance, Jessyca Leach, the organization's CEO, said. They also voiced frustration with the current standing of national resources.

"This decision was incredibly shortsighted and doesn't take into account or recognize the needs of vulnerable communities in today's current political climate," Leach said.

Despite the change, Leach remains positive that Democratic leadership in Arizona – including Gov. Katie Hobbs and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego on the local level, and Rep. Yassamin Ansari and Rep. Greg Stanton on the federal level – will step up and bridge the gap.

Still, Leach said political leaders should support LGBTQ+ citizens on the state and national level.

"How can we trust knowing that one year we might be supported and the next year we're not?" Leach asked. "It's just devastating."

Editor’s note: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s phone number is 1-800-273-8255.  Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741741. ASU’s crisis resources including the EMPACT 24-hour crisis line are accessible here.

Edited by Carsten Oyer, George Headley, Tiya Talwar, Katrina Michalak and Ellis Preston.


Reach the reporter at emalvar9@asu.edu.

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Emilio Alvarado

Emilio is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication and political science. This is his first semester with The State Press. 


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