MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — Thursday marks the day LGBTQ+ Wisconsin youth lose access to specialized services on the Suicide and Crisis Prevention Hotline.
According to a Trump administration directive, starting Thursday people contacting the 988 number will still have access to crisis services, but there won’t be a “press three” option for the specialized line. Family Services, which administers the 988 hotline for Wisconsin, calls that deeply concerning, because LGBTQ+ individuals, especially youth, are among the most at risk for suicide.
The sub-network was launched in 2022, and more than 14.5 million callers have used the line since then. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin helped created the hotline and calls the Trump Administration’s actions dangerous for LGBTQ youth.