New York State is putting $1.8 million toward a specialized crisis line for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.
The funding is intended to fill the gap left after the federal government eliminated the “Press 3” option for LGBTQIA+ callers to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline back in July of 2025.
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The state says between 50,000 and 60,000 young people across the country used the service each month before it was discontinued.
Of the $1.8 million investment, $1.2 million will be provided annually for five years to an existing qualified organization that operates a 24/7 crisis service for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.
The specialized line will connect young people with trained crisis counselors who can provide crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, referrals and follow-up services.
The remaining $600,000 will be used for specialized training for hundreds of local crisis counselors who answer calls to 988 in New York.
The training will focus on helping counselors better understand and respond to the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said “LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults in crisis deserve access to a crisis lifeline that meets their immediate and specific needs,”
The funding comes as LGBTQIA+ youth continue to report higher rates of mental health challenges.
According to a 2025 survey from The Trevor Project, about 36 percent of LGBTQIA+ young people seriously considered suicide in the previous year. That number was about 40 percent among transgender and nonbinary young people.
The state says the new crisis line is designed to provide more culturally responsive and affirming support to LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.