NY/NJ LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline Workers Face Layoffs After Federal Funding Cuts
Federal funding cuts have led to the elimination of LGBTQ+-specific services on the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, resulting in layoffs for crisis workers in New York and New Jersey. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) ceased funding the 988 option, which routed callers to LGBTQ+ affirming counselors, citing a $33 million cost despite over a million people utilizing the service since its 2022 launch. The Trevor Project, a national nonprofit, was given short notice and notified its unionized staff of impending layoffs. This decision comes amid a broader rollback of federal support for LGBTQ+ programs and concerns that it will exacerbate existing strains on New York’s mental health infrastructure, potentially leading to increased suicide rates within the community.
John Q. Hosedrinker