Several states seek to fill gaps after help line for LGBTQ+ youth ends

California, Colorado, Illinois and Nevada are offering specialized services for youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and call the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The move follows the Trump administration’s termination of an option for LGBTQ+ individuals to speak to staff specifically trained to handle LGBTQ+ youth facing mental health issues. Individuals who call 988 are routed to a local crisis center if they are calling from a cellphone carrier using georouting, which routes calls based on approximate areas, permitting states to establish their own options for specialized services. (MedPage Today article, 8/19/25)