ALBANY — The New York State Office of Mental Health recently announced bold prevention initiatives underway to help reduce suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth and ensure everyone in the community has access to culturally appropriate crisis support when they are in need.
Specifically, the enacted Fiscal Year 2027 State Budget will fund a specialized crisis line and train local 988 contact centers to handle concerns of LGBTQ+ individuals.
“LGBTQ+ youth are at extremely high risk for mental health challenges, and we need to ensure that our supports and services meet their needs,” Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said in a press release.
“These community-based programs are helping to connect LGBTQ+ youth with tailored supportive services, enabling them to thrive in their community.”
MORE RESOURCES FOR 988
LGBTQ+ youth and young adults experience elevated rates of suicidal ideation and face persistent barriers to accessing mental health care.
Roughly 39% of LGBTQ+ youth in New York seriously considered suicide, including 45% of transgender and nonbinary youth, according to a 2024 survey completed by The Trevor Project.
As part of the state budget, New York State took additional steps to continue serving young people in the LGBTQ+ community after the federal government suspended the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s “press 3” option.
The federally funded 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s specialized service for LGBTQ+ youth was serving between 50,000 and 60,000 young people per month before being shuttered in July 2025.
While federal officials suggested in April this service could be revived, the “press 3” option remains defunct.
OMH will receive $1.8 million to enhance the capacity of the 988 system by providing training for hundreds of local crisis counselors with a specific focus on handling concerns and needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Given the urgent need, OMH will also work with a provider to offer a specialized line and insulate the state in the event the “press 3” option isn’t restored or is eliminated.
SUPPORTING MINORITIES IN THE COMMUNITY
OMH is supporting innovative community projects aimed at reducing suicide risk among racial and ethnic minority populations and LGBTQ+ groups.
There are four recently funded programs specifically focused on enhancing efforts to improve the mental health of young LGBTQ+ people.
The Albany-based Rainbow Access Initiative has launched its Prism Transcend Program, which has enrolled 52 youth and young adults between ages 16 and 24 from the Capital Region who identify as transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary.
This program creates safe, inclusive peer support spaces, case management and incorporates harm reduction strategies to foster community building among this population.
Prism Transcend has established links with Albany High School, Skidmore College and the SUNY Albany, facilitating workshops, suicide prevention awareness and referrals for services.
Capital Region youth use the program for support, positive development activities, and links to higher levels of care.
Access: Supports for Living Inc. developed the Youth Resilience, Education and Advocacy for Children’s Health program, also called Youth REACH, to focus primarily on suicide prevention for youth and young adults from historically marginalized or underrepresented communities, with a special focus on LGBTQ+ individuals.
Serving both rural and urban communities in Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties, this program has connected with 323 individuals between ages 15 and 24 who completed mental health safety plans.
NY Foundling’s Identity and Acceptance program is now serving 46 youths identifying as transgender, gender non-conforming or non-binary up to age 21.
This New York City-based service provider offers clinical services, events, community space, clothes, school supplies, materials and other wrap-around services.
The Buffalo-based Gay and Lesbian Youth Services of Western New York’s Transgender Youth Pathway Program has connected with 412 individuals and family members in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
This program provides access to supportive relationships aimed at expanding resilience and self-advocacy, while also fostering access to affirming mental health supports