California Pledges Expanded Mental Health Access and Continued Crisis Services.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday sharply criticized the Trump administration for its decision to end dedicated suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth through the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, calling the move a retreat from protecting vulnerable lives.
The federal rollback, set to take effect July 17, will eliminate the “Press 3” option, which currently connects LGBTQ callers under age 25 to crisis counselors trained in culturally competent care. Initially launched by The Trevor Project in 2022, the service has since evolved into a multi-center support network serving hundreds of thousands of youth annually.
Newsom denounced the change as a step backward in safeguarding young LGBTQ Americans. Cutting off a proven lifeline for people in need is outrageous and inexcusable. While this federal administration slashes services and tries to erase LGBTQ people, California will do the opposite. Every child—straight, gay, transgender — belongs.”
Among those efforts is the state’s $4.7 billion Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health, which aims to expand access to behavioral health services and strengthen suicide prevention tools. California continues to support organizations like The Trevor Project, whose counselors helped nearly half a million people in 2024, including over 231,000 through the 988 Lifeline.
California remains one of the few states with a broad network of support for LGBTQ individuals in crisis. Currently, 12 state-based call centers field 988 crisis line messages via phone, text, and chat, staffed by trained professionals prepared to respond to suicide and mental health emergencies.
While the 988 federal program’s specialized LGBTQ line is being dissolved, Californians can still access The Trevor Project’s direct support services by calling or texting 1-866-488-7386 or visiting thetrevorproject.org.
The state also offers non-crisis mental health resources through CalHOPE, a program that includes warm lines and peer support services. CalHOPE Connect provides free, confidential emotional support for residents dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression. California-based resources for LGBTQ youth can be found here.
