Krishnamoorthi Joins NAMI Chicago, The Trevor Project, Other Advocates to Call for Restoration of 988 LGBTQ+ Crisis Line Services

CHICAGO - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today joined NAMI Chicago, The Trevor Project, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Victory Institute, Ald. Lamont Robinson, Channyn Lynne Parker of Equality Illinois, Nikki Patin of Brave Space Alliance, and other advocates and providers for a tour of NAMI Chicago's call center followed by a press conference calling for the restoration of specialized LGBTQ+ crisis services through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, commonly accessed through the "Press 3" option.

During the tour, participants learned more about NAMI Chicago's 988 operations and how trained crisis counselors provide immediate emotional support, safety planning, and connections to care. Speakers at the press conference emphasized the proven impact of 988 and the urgent need to restore specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth, which previously accounted for a significant share of Lifeline contacts.

"The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline's 'Press 3' option was working for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis-connecting them to trained counselors who understood what they were going through-and the Trump Administration shut it down," said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. "We know this service works, and we've heard directly from the young people who relied on it in their most vulnerable moments. I partnered with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to secure the funding to restore this program, but despite Secretary Kennedy's recent testimony that it would be coming back, these services for LGBTQ+ youth are still offline. The Trump Administration needs to restore the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline's 'Press 3' option now-every day it remains unavailable puts LGBTQ+ youth in crisis at risk."

"Since becoming a 988 call center in January 2024, NAMI Chicago has answered more than 53,000 calls. Every call reminds us that crisis support must be easy to access, compassionate, and responsive to the person on the other end of the line" said Teri McKean, Director of Crisis Services at NAMI Chicago. "We are well equipped to support anyone who reaches out. At the same time, we know specialized support is a best practice, and LGBTQ+ young people deserve access to specialized expertise and connection to others with lived experience."

"LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. are placed at higher risk for suicide not because of who they are, but because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized by others. And yet, we know that severe gaps in access to care for these youth persist; 50% of LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. said they wanted mental health care in the past year, but were not able to get it," said Gabby Doyle, Senior Manager of State Advocacy at The Trevor Project. "To end the public health crisis of suicide among LGBTQ+ young people, they need more resources - not fewer. The abrupt termination of the 988 Lifeline's specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth left the more than 1.5 million LGBTQ+ young people who accessed the federal program without the life-saving care they came to rely on during their darkest moments. We urge the administration to restore these life-saving services, and we are grateful for Representative Krishnamoorthi's efforts to advance the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act to help fill critical gaps in crisis care. We hope that Congress will swiftly pass this bill into law."

"Option 3 on the 988 line for LGBTQ Youth services is vital because it provides supportive services to a very vulnerable community," said Toni Sutton of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. "It's critical to have services and supports from trained counselors and allies to this particular group of young people that address the unique challenges they face and meet their needs."

"The rise in political violence documented in our recent report is not just a threat to democracy-it is a direct threat to the mental health of LGBTQ+ elected officials serving under constant pressure and fear," said Evan Low, CEO & President, Victory Institute. "During Mental Health Awareness Month, we must recognize that the harassment, threats, and isolation many LGBTQ+ leaders face have real and lasting psychological consequences. That reality underscores the urgency of this moment and aligns with the awareness and advocacy led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. No one should have to choose between serving their community and protecting their mental well-being. Supporting the mental health of LGBTQ+ elected officials is essential to building a safer, more inclusive, and more resilient democracy."

"Due to persistent stigma and discrimination, LGBTQ+ youth face an elevated risk of suicide and are more than four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers," said Angela Cummings, executive director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Illinois Chapter. "The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's specialized LGBTQ+ youth option was created to ensure young people in crisis can connect quickly with trained, affirming counselors. AFSP Illinois is proud to stand with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, NAMI Chicago, and our partners in urging the swift restoration of this lifesaving resource."\

Krishnamoorthi has led efforts in Congress to restore and protect these services, including securing $33.1 million in Fiscal Year 2026 funding to support their reinstatement and introducing the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ Youth Access Act to ensure these services are permanently available nationwide. He has also pressed the Department of Health and Human Services to restart the program and follow through on commitments to bring it back online.

NAMI Chicago's 988 call center operates seven days a week, answering the majority of the calls for Chicago and Cook County, in addition to operating its own Helpline for emotional support and connection to mental health resources. As one of the largest affiliates of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in the country, NAMI Chicago serves more than 40,000 people each year through crisis services, care coordination, peer support, education, and advocacy, including support groups for LGBTQ+ individuals and others seeking connection, information, and support.