Fact Check: "SAMHSA removes 'T' from LGBTQ in shocking lifeline announcement!"
What We Know
The claim that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has removed the "T" (for transgender) from the LGBTQ acronym in its support services is rooted in a recent policy change announced by the Trump administration. On June 18, 2025, SAMHSA confirmed that it would be discontinuing specialized suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth, which had been part of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline since its launch in 2022. This decision has raised significant concerns among advocates and organizations focused on LGBTQ+ youth mental health, including The Trevor Project, which has emphasized the critical need for these specialized services given the high rates of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, particularly transgender individuals (NPR, Wikipedia).
Analysis
The announcement from SAMHSA indicated that while they would no longer provide specialized services specifically for LGBTQ+ youth, they would continue to offer support through the 988 Lifeline to all individuals in crisis. However, the phrasing used in the announcement notably omitted the "T" and "Q" from the acronym LGBTQ+, which has led to interpretations that the administration is de-prioritizing transgender and queer individuals in their mental health support initiatives (NPR).
Critics, including Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, have described the decision as "devastating" and incomprehensible, arguing that it undermines the support system that has been established for a vulnerable population (NPR). The Trevor Project's own research highlights that approximately 40% of LGBTQ youth considered suicide in the previous year, with higher rates among transgender and nonbinary youth, underscoring the necessity for targeted support (Wikipedia, NPR).
The reliability of the sources is strong; both NPR and Wikipedia are well-regarded for their journalistic integrity and factual reporting. NPR, in particular, has a history of covering health and policy issues comprehensively, making it a credible source for this information.
Conclusion
The claim that SAMHSA has removed the "T" from LGBTQ in its lifeline announcement is True. The decision to discontinue specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth, coupled with the omission of the "T" and "Q" in the announcement, suggests a significant policy shift that could adversely affect transgender and queer individuals seeking mental health support. This change has been met with widespread criticism from mental health advocates who stress the importance of tailored services for high-risk groups.
