Did Trump Cut the Suicide Hotline? What’s Happening With 988

Who Gets Hit Hardest

Unfortunately, funding cuts rarely affect everyone equally. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, “Certain populations uniquely at risk continue to be underrepresented in suicide research and face disproportionate inequities in accessing the care,⁴ support, and services needed to improve mental health and prevent suicide.” 

The communities most likely to feel the impact include:

• BIPOC communities who already face barriers to accessing culturally competent mental health care 
• LGBTQ+ communities, especially youth, who have significantly higher rates of suicidal thoughts 
• Rural residents who have limited access to mental health resources to begin with 
• People without insurance who rely heavily on free crisis services

How do recent cuts to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline affect access to care, especially in underserved or marginalized communities? What are the potential long-term implications?

The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline helps reduce suicide, mental health hospitalizations, and reduces healthcare costs overall because people are less likely to turn to higher levels of care that are more expensive. For marginalized communities, it provides access to someone who can listen and provide support as well as resources they may not have access to otherwise, which saves lives. The long-term implications of the recent cuts include staffing shortages, which lead to longer response times, diminishing the effectiveness of the Lifeline during crises. Without adequate funding, more individuals in crisis may end up in emergency rooms or encounter law enforcement—situations that the 988 Lifeline aims to prevent. Underserved communities may experience greater barriers to accessing mental health support, exacerbating existing inequalities and increasing health disparities. Inconsistent funding and availability can lead the public to feel less trusting of mental health resources, potentially discouraging individuals from seeking help.

Jack Bartel, PsyD | The Evergreen Initiative

Real-World Impact: What This Means for You

These funding reductions create staffing shortages, which lead to longer response times and reduce how effectively the Lifeline can help during crises.

Here’s what you might experience:

• Longer wait times when calling for help
• Fewer culturally competent counselors available
• Reduced outreach programs in underserved communities
• Less specialized support for high-risk groups

The broader concern is that without adequate mental health crisis support, more people may end up in emergency rooms or encounters with law enforcement—exactly the situations 988 was designed to prevent.

Why This Matters Beyond Individual Calls

The 988 lifeline doesn’t just save lives in the moment. It reduces overall healthcare costs by preventing more expensive interventions like psychiatric hospitalizations. For marginalized communities especially, it provides access to support and resources that might otherwise be unavailable.

Other Crisis Resources Still Available

While concerns about national suicide prevention lifeline funding are serious, it’s important to know that other crisis support options are still available. If you can’t get through to 988 or need specialized support, these resources can help:

• National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of 988 and connects you with trained crisis counselors via text message.
• The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7 with counselors trained in LGBTQ+ issues.
• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. This specialized service for veterans, service members, and their families has dedicated funding and staff.
• Crisis Text Line en Español: Text HOLA to 741741 for Spanish-language crisis support. Many local crisis centers also offer bilingual services.

Many communities also have local crisis hotlines, mobile crisis teams, and walk-in crisis centers. Your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1) can help you find nearby mental health resources and crisis support options.

The Advocacy Response

Mental health advocates nationwide are actively responding to the threat of funding cuts to the national suicide hotline. Leading organizations have issued press releases and public statements urging Congress and the White House to restore and expand funding, emphasizing that access to crisis services is a matter of life and death for vulnerable communities.

Advocates stress that mental health is a bipartisan issue. “Suicide prevention is about risk, not identity,”⁵ says Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project. But Black also reminds affected communities that not all hope is lost:

I want to be clear to all LGBTQ+ young people: This news, while upsetting, is not final. And regardless of federal funding shifts, The Trevor Project remains available 24/7 for anyone who needs us, just as we always have.⁶

What You Can Do

If you’re concerned about these changes, here are ways to help:

• Contact your elected officials to express support for 988 funding
• Support nonprofit organizations working on mental health advocacy
• Share accurate information about available resources in your community
• Learn the warning signs of suicide and how to help someone in crisis

Moving Forward

For now, 988 remains available around the clock for anyone in crisis. The system’s long-term capacity, however, depends on sustained and equitable investment from federal and state governments.

If you or someone you love is struggling, remember that help is still available. Aside from crisis support, you can also search for treatment centers that specialize in treating suicidal thoughts and behaviors for comprehensive care. 

Make a safety plan, connect with support, and remember—your story isn’t over yet.

FAQs

Q: Did Trump administration budget cuts affect the suicide hotline services? 

A: Funding reductions were proposed in early 2025⁷ as part of broader budget constraints from the Office of Management and Budget during the current administration. While the 988 hotline remains operational, the cuts will affect crucial services for LGBTQ+ youth as well as affect expansion and capacity-building.

Q: Did Trump’s suicide helpline cuts push Canada to step in for Americans? 

A: There’s no evidence that Canada has stepped in⁸ to provide crisis services for Americans due to these funding changes. This false claim stems from a viral social media post. The 988 lifeline continues to operate in the United States, though with reduced capacity.

Q: Did President Trump make any changes to the national suicide prevention hotline? 

A: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline itself wasn’t changed or eliminated. However, federal budget for expanding the program were proposed in early 2025, which will affect the system’s ability to meet increasing demand.