ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has announced that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline will maintain its services for LGBTQIA+ youth in Illinois, despite a recent funding cut by the federal government.
In Illinois, the 988 contact centers receive funding from the IDHS. Officials indicated that upon learning of the Trump administration’s plan to discontinue the LGBTQ youth suicide hotline, they acted to ensure the 988 Lifeline could still deliver services to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Currently, IDHS is enhancing crisis counselor training and will continue offering all Illinois call centers with resources and culturally sensitive referrals.
“As part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I remember growing up how important it was just to know someone out there got it,” Dulce Quintero, IDHS Secretary, said in a news release. “988 is a way to connect, especially in moments when things feel heavy. In Illinois, we’re focused on keeping those connections strong, and making sure people know they’re not navigating this alone. Whatever is happening at the national level, our commitment here is to keep building with love, trust, and community.”
The 988 Lifeline launched in 2022; since then they have created a network of trained counselors who work with LGBTQ+ youth under 25. According to the IDHS, suicide is the second most common cause of death among people between the ages of 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds. Young people in the LGBTQIA+ are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide.
“The Trump Administration’s decision to end these specialized services is a cruel reversal of proven practices,” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said in a news release. “Unequivocally, in Illinois, we stand side by side with each member of the LGBTQIA+ community, including transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming youth. If you need help and you call 988, you’ll be met with the compassion, competence and respect.”
According to the IDHS, the LGBTQIA+ youth subnetwork of the 988 Lifeline receives more than 1,600 calls and 600 chats or texts each month.
You can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Illinois 24/7 in either English or Spanish by calling or texting 988. Texts and calls are anonymous, and the information given is not stored or shared. You can find out more about the hotline on the IDHS website.
