The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is taking steps to restore specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth through the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. During a recent meeting, Supervisor Janice Hahn and Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath advanced two motions, one of which was to develop a local pilot program known as the "Press 3" option, according to a statement obtained by the office of Supervisor Janice Hahn. The service had been previously cut by the Trump Administration in July.
Supervisor Hahn, addressing the urgency of the situation, said, "The Press 3 option was a lifeline, and losing it has been devastating." Despite the service being eliminated earlier, there's hope as California State Assemblymember Mark González plans on introducing legislation to fund and reinstate a specialized 988 subnetwork for LGBTQ+ youth statewide, and Supervisor Hahn backs these efforts firmly. Horvath, who had been joined by Hahn at a press conference before the Board meeting, emphasized the disproportionate challenges faced by young people in the LGBTQ+ community and vowed to restore this essential resource.
At the federal level, bipartisan support is growing with the proposed 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), alongside Representatives including Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Michael Lawler (R-NY), have introduced legislation aiming to codify the "Press 3" option, guaranteeing mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth in a legal framework. These bills are driven by concern for vulnerable youth. Over 14% of the 5.1 million 988 callers used the Press 3 option in its final year of operation.
The elimination of this service sounded alarms across advocacy groups. Executive Director Sunitha Menon of the LA County LGBTQ+ Commission, speaking during the press event, underscored the importance of affirming support systems, stating, "This Press 3 option gives hope and support for LGBTQ+ youth in their darkest moments, preventing them from doing something that cannot be undone." Menon's comments highlight the stark reality thrust upon LGBTQ+ youth in light of federal policy.
The commitment by Los Angeles County leaders exemplifies the local response to a gap in support structures for a marginalized group. Newly greenlit by the County supervisors, the pilot program endeavors to replicate the previously federally funded service on a local scale, offering a tailored approach through the LA County Department of Mental Health's 24/7 Alternative Crisis Response System. With local and state initiatives moving forward, there appears to be renewed hope for the restoration of the life-saving service for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis.
