Alliance Alert: We are happy to see specialized LGBTQ+ youth services restored to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and we applaud members of Congress and advocates who pushed for their restoration. We also strongly commend New York’s commitment of funding for a state-based LGBTQ+ crisis line, ensuring that even if specialized federal services were not restored or are threatened again, LGBTQ+ New Yorkers will have access to affirming crisis support.
Having someone trained and understanding to call during a crisis is an essential first step. But a crisis system cannot end with the phone call. We must continue building a complete continuum that includes non-police, health-led crisis response modeled on Daniel’s Law and voluntary places to go when a crisis cannot be resolved onsite, including crisis stabilization centers and peer-run crisis respite programs.
New York and the nation have made important progress with 988. Now we must ensure that when someone reaches out for help, there is a compassionate, voluntary and health-centered system ready to respond, from the initial call through the support needed to successfully move beyond the crisis and enter sustained recovery.
988’s LGBTQ+ Services Return Just as New York Secures Funding for its Own Crisis Line
By Anthony Krolikowski | CBS 6 News | October 4, 2026
ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) — Press 3 has been restored for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It connects callers in need to specialized LGBTQ+ youth services.
One local group that advocated for the services’ return is Lower Adirondack Pride. The nonprofit is not a crisis organization but President Cam Cardinale said LGBTQ+ youth in crisis reach out. Some about to take their own lives.
“We’ve seen a 25% increase in that because they haven’t had these specialized services. Now, what we were doing before 988 specialized services were suspended is we were doing a warm handoff to that line,” explained Cardinale. Since July 2025, he has resorted to The Trevor Project’s services.
$1.8 million is available for the New York State Office of Mental Health to establish its own specialized crisis line for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. That announcement came on September 18, 2026. Fast forward to the end of the month and 988’s Press 3 is back.
“It’s going to a call center or individuals who are experienced. So these folks go through so much rigorous training. Often times, they have lived experience and this is the population that they’re working with all day every day when they’re answering calls on the hotline,” Cardinale explained of 988.
There’s also a one-time award of $600,000 to train hundreds of local crisis counselors to answer calls. OMH will be providing $1.2 million annually over five years to expand service with an existing organization.
“Now here we are with the lines back. And so we’ll see what happens?” asked CBS6’s Anthony Krolikowski.
“Yes,” answered Cardinale. “I have asked for an update so I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”
988’s LGBTQ+ services return just as New York secures funding for its own crisis line