Every young person deserves compassion, care, and connection.
LGBTQ+ youth are being dealt a devastating blow: access to a vital suicide prevention hotline is in danger and there’s a proposal in the works to eliminate federal funding for LGBTQ+ suicide prevention services altogether.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just policy. It’s personal. It’s dangerous. And it puts thousands of young lives at risk.
At STOMP Out Bullying, we believe suicide prevention should never be defunded. Every young person—regardless of gender identity, sexuality, or background—deserves life-saving support, especially during their most vulnerable moments.
How You Can Help
Right now, we’re asking 3,000 people to take action. Here’s how:
- Donate: Your gift helps keep HelpChat running and expands access to support. 👉 Donate now
- Share the message: Post, repost, and speak out using #ProtectLGBTQYouth
- Advocate: Contact your representatives and urge them to fund inclusive suicide prevention services
- Support LGBTQ+ youth in your life: Small acts of kindness—listening, affirming, showing up—go a long way
Why LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention Services Matter
LGBTQ+ youth are already at disproportionate risk for mental health struggles. When support systems disappear, these risks only intensify. Defunding LGBTQ+ suicide prevention isn’t just a bad idea—it’s a life-threatening one.
Crisis support lines—like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and STOMP Out Bullying’s HelpChat Crisis Line—are often the first safe space a struggling youth encounters. These services are vital because:
- 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year.
- LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers.
- Many LGBTQ+ youth experience lack of acceptance, bullying, family rejection, and isolation and they need our support.
Suicide Prevention Services are VITAL and Provide:
- Immediate access to trained, empathetic listeners
- Affirming, identity-sensitive care
- A judgment-free space to talk about what they’re going through
Anonymous Story – “Avery’s Message”
Avery (name changed for privacy), a 16-year-old junior, had been dealing with nonstop bullying at school ever since coming out as nonbinary. It wasn’t just rude comments—it was whispers in the hallway, being excluded from group projects, even teachers brushing things off like it was no big deal. The weight of it all started to pile up.
Late one night, while scrolling on their phone, Avery came across the STOMP Out Bullying HelpChat Crisis Line.
“I didn’t want to talk to anyone I knew,” Avery typed. “I didn’t want to scare my family or have them worry. But I also didn’t want to keep pretending I was okay.”
On the other side of the screen, a trained counselor listened. Not with judgment or lectures, but with real compassion. They sent grounding tips to help Avery breathe through the panic. They shared words of support, and even connected Avery with local LGBTQ+ resources.
That night didn’t end in silence. It ended with someone saying, “You matter. I’m glad you reached out.”
And for Avery, that was the first step toward feeling visible again.
What’s at Risk With Defunding
Eliminating federal support isn’t abstract. It affects real teenagers like Avery—who need someone to talk to, not red tape and closed doors.
Eliminating federal support for LGBTQ+ mental health services could mean:
- Fewer crisis counselors trained to respond to LGBTQ+ issues
- Closure of inclusive and identity-affirming crisis programs
- Reduced access to suicide prevention education and outreach
- Loss of critical safe spaces for youth who already feel unseen
What STOMP Out Bullying Is Doing
The STOMPOUT Bullying HelpChat Crisis Line is free and available to youth ages 13–24, providing direct access to trained volunteers who offer compassionate support in real time. This service operates thanks to generous donors who believe that suicide prevention is a cause worth protecting.
The STOMP Out Bullying HelpChat Line is:
- Free and confidential
- Open to all youth, regardless of identity or background
- Available when many traditional resources are out of reach—offering support during moments that matter most.
Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth
Here’s a list of trusted organizations offering direct support:
- STOMP Out Bullying HelpChat Crisis Line – Learn more & connect
- The Trevor Project – 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth: Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
- Trans Lifeline – Peer support for trans and nonbinary people: 1-877-565-8860
- LGBT National Help Center – 1-888-843-4564
- It Gets Better Project – Stories, videos, and peer-driven community
- NAMI LGBTQ+ Resources – Educational materials and support
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger,
call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Final Thoughts
Defunding LGBTQ+ suicide prevention services sends a chilling message to the youth who need us most: that they don’t matter. But we know better. We know LGBTQ+ youth DO matter. At STOMP Out Bullying, we remain committed to showing up, speaking out, and staying present—even when others step back.
Help us protect the lives of LGBTQ+ youth—because compassion should never be cut.
Follow STOMP Out Bullying