The LGBTQI+ Subnetwork: Crisis support for LGBTQIA2S+ teens and young adults
The LGBTQI+ Subnetwork is part of the 988 Lifeline and offers free support to LGBTQIA2S+ youth who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide.
You might already know the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support to people having thoughts of suicide or another mental health crisis.
But did you know the 988 Lifeline offers a specialized support line for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) teens and young adults?
This line is called the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork. It connects LGBTQIA2S+ people to crisis counselors who provide compassionate and affirming care tailored to their needs.
The Subnetwork provides a human connection to someone who understands LGBTQIA2S+ identity and offers a safe place to share distress. Youth who have used this line say it really makes a difference.
“I don’t get too much support, but I’m scared to reach out and ask. This was the next best place, considering I wanted to harm myself,” one person shared after using the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork.
How it works
You can use the LGBTI+ Subnetwork to get support for yourself or a loved one.
This subnetwork provides specialized support to teens and young adults up to age 25. Crisis counselors won’t turn away people over age 25, but they’ll share additional resources meant to support LGBTQIA2S+ adults.
Here’s how to connect through call, chat, or text:
- Dial 988 and press 3.
- Text “PRIDE” to 988.
- Chat online and select “LGBTQI+” in the pre-chat survey.
The 988 Lifeline, including the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork, is always free and confidential. It’s available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Crisis counselors aim to provide crisis support without involving emergency responders. They may contact 911 if there’s an immediate threat to someone’s life they can’t resolve during the call, but this is rare. Less than 2% of calls involve emergency services.
Support in other languages
To get support in another language, you can contact the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork and ask for an interpreter in English or say the name of the language you need.
The 988 Lifeline has a Spanish Language Line that provides direct support in Spanish, but this line doesn’t provide support specific to LGBTQIA2S+ people. To get support in Spanish, you can call 988 and press 2, text “AYUDA” to 988, or chat online.
The 988 Lifeline also offers videophone support in American Sign Language.
History of the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork in July 2023 to provide empathetic and affirming care to LGBTQIA2S+ people in need of mental health support. The Subnetwork started after a successful pilot program that offered phone, text, and chat support to LGBTQI+ youth and young adults.
Between July 3, 2023, and May 2, 2024, the 988 Lifeline received almost half a million calls, texts, and chats to the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork, according to Vibrant Emotional Health. Vibrant is the national administrator for the 988 Lifeline.
From July 2023 to April 2024, calls, chats, and texts overall increased by 12%, while calls alone increased by 67%.
As of June 2024, about 144 crisis counselors nationwide answer calls to the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork. About 206 crisis counselors respond to chats and texts.
Some of the crisis counselors who staff the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork line are LGBTQIA2S+ people themselves or have LGBTQIA2S+ loved ones. But all crisis counselors who work on this line receive specialized training to understand the experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ people and provide identity-affirming support.
Why it helps
“It’s crucial to remember that the fight for acceptance and inclusion extends to every aspect of life, including mental health support, especially as we celebrate Pride Month and reflect on the progress made toward LGBTQI+ equality,” said Johnell Lawrence, Director of Equity & Belonging at Vibrant Emotional Health.
LGBTQIA2S+ youth have higher rates of mental health concerns and a higher risk of suicide. But many LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults who want mental health support don’t have a way to get it, according to a national survey from the Trevor Project.
Tailored support can help lower suicide risk and make it easier to get affirming, life-saving care during a mental health crisis. The LGBTQI+ Subnetwork offers a starting place to get this support. It provides a safe space for people to seek help, guidance, and compassionate listening.
“It means a lot being and feeling supported during my crisis,” one person said after using the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork. “I’m so glad to have talked to you today while also helping myself, and I’m feeling a bit better.”
Crisis counselors can also share local resources for long-term support, like therapy, health care, and other community services.
Another person who used the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork said their counselor played a part in helping them, maybe even saving their life. “This is a wonderful resource, and I’m so glad it exists for people,” they said.
More resources
The 988 Lifeline and the LGBTQI+ Subnetwork provide 24/7 free, confidential mental health crisis support.
Other resources for LGBTQIA2s+ youth include:
- Trans Lifeline
- Q Chat Space
- LGBT National Help Center
- Teen Link
- Planned Parenthood Sexual Health Information for teens
- The Trevor Project — Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Young People
- Youth Programs — Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center
- Stonewall Youth — Olympia, WA
- Oasis Youth Center — Tacoma, WA
- Lambert House — Seattle, WA
- Odyssey Youth Movement — Spokane, WA
You can also find youth-specific health and mental health resources at Teen Health Hub WA.
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