A vital support system for LGBTQ youth is among the programs being cut due to federal budget reductions. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) confirmed that LGBTQ-specific services provided through the 988 crisis line will end next month.
Despite the loss of this federal support, Colorado’s 988 Director wants residents to know that help will remain available locally.
“In Colorado, we have the fourth largest number of 988 calls in the nation. So we see the impact and we need to be prepared to handle that,” said Gordon Coombes, Director of the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line.
Coombes emphasized that Colorado will be ready when the federal LGBTQ services go offline on July 17.
“We’re building up capacity,” he said. “We anticipate there is going to be an increase in call volume. There are certain regulations that have to occur to be in compliance with the national 988 guidelines. So one: the calls have to be answered by a trained specialist for crisis. And two: there has to be an assessment.”
SAMHSA pointed to last year’s $33 million price tag for these services as the reason behind the funding cut. At the state level, lawmakers also adjusted the hotline structure to address budget limitations.
Instead of eliminating services, bipartisan members of the Joint Budget Committee decided to merge the 988 crisis line with the behavioral health telephone crisis service.
This move is expected to save the state about $200,000 and takes effect July 1. According to Coombes, every operator on the state line is trained to assist LGBTQ youth.
“Our trained specialists in our contact center — they’re specially trained to work with the LGBTQ+ population so they can offer that service to anybody who calls in,” Coombes said.
In Colorado, funding for 988 comes from a phone line surcharge of up to 30 cents. The program also receives support from private donors to help keep the service running.
Leave a Reply