The Trump administration says it is working to restore the 988 Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth “Press 3” option by the end of 2026, but says the service must comply with an executive order that rejects federal recognition of transgender identities.
An HHS spokesperson said SAMHSA is “working with the 988 Network Administrator Vibrant Emotional Health to reactivate Press 3 operations by the end of the year”.
The spokesperson described the move as part of Congress’s fiscal year 2026 directive to restore specialised services for LGBTQ+ young people.
In a 9 June 2026 letter to lawmakers sent on behalf of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, SAMHSA said it was evaluating how to reinstate the LGBTQ+ youth service.
“SAMHSA is currently assessing the most appropriate approach to implementing this congressional directive for the ‘Press 3’ option within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, while ensuring compliance with Executive Order 14168,” wrote Christopher Carroll, SAMHSA’s principal deputy assistant secretary for mental health and substance use.
The executive order requires federal agencies to recognise only two sexes, raising concern among LGBTQ+ advocates over whether transgender and nonbinary young people will be fully included in any restored service.
The Trevor Project, which piloted the programme, said the specialised service helped more than 1.5 million LGBTQ+ young people before it was shut down.
“We are grateful to see preliminary indication that the 988 Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth specialised services may be reinstated after the program was abruptly shuttered last July,” CEO Jaymes Black said.
“However, we remain sceptical as the administration has now plainly said the lifeline must ensure compliance with President Trump’s January 2025 anti-transgender executive order.”
Why “Press 3” was shut down
The LGBTQ+ youth specialised services launched nationally in 2022 after Congress authorised LGBTQ+ youth support within the 988 system.
In June 2025, SAMHSA announced it would eliminate the specialised services, arguing it would “no longer silo” LGBTQ+ callers.
The agency also proposed eliminating the programme’s dedicated $33.1 million funding stream.
The shutdown took effect on 17 July 2025, ending the “Press 3” option and other access pathways for LGBTQ+ youth.
Fears over trans inclusion
Black said the purpose of specialised 988 services is to provide tailored support to groups at higher risk of suicide, including veterans and LGBTQ+ young people.
“The point of the 988 Lifeline’s specialised services is to provide tailored support to groups placed at the highest risk for self-harm in this country, including veterans and LGBTQ+ young people,” Black said.
“The administration’s executive order rejects these youth entirely; they cannot be supported if they are not included.”
The Trevor Project has cited survey data showing 36% of LGBTQ+ young people and 40% of transgender and nonbinary young people seriously considered self-harm in the past year, while approximately 11% reported attempting self-harm.
For LGBTQ+ advocates, the possible restoration of “Press 3” is welcome, but the administration’s insistence that the service comply with its anti-trans executive order has left serious questions about whether the most vulnerable young people will receive the support they need.
