Hahn celebrates return of 988’s LGBTQ+ youth support
Supervisor Janice Hahn announces efforts to reinstate 988's Press 3 Option in December 2025.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn celebrated the restoration of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s “Press 3” option Friday, following efforts to bring back specialized support for LGBTQ+ young people.
The service returned this week after Congress passed legislation restoring funding and requiring its reinstatement, according to Hahn’s office. The option connects callers to counselors who provide support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth.
The Trump administration eliminated the service in July 2025, prompting Hahn and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath to pursue efforts to restore it locally, statewide and nationally.
“We are breathing a sigh of relief today because 988’s Press 3 option has been restored,” Hahn said. “It is a lifeline for LGBTQ young people in the darkest chapter of their lives, and it should never have been cut in the first place.”
Hahn said specialized support is particularly important for young people experiencing hostility and isolation.
“LGBTQ+ young people are more likely to consider suicide, not because of who they are, but because of the hostility and isolation they too often experience,” she said. “When they reach out for help, the right support needs to be there. I am grateful to everyone who worked tirelessly to get it restored.”
The restoration follows more than a year of advocacy by county officials. In July 2025, Hahn and Horvath led an effort to evaluate the effects of the federal funding cuts and explore ways to preserve specialized services for county residents.
On Dec. 9, 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved two additional motions by Hahn and Horvath supporting restoration efforts.
One directed the county Department of Mental Health to develop a proposal for a local Press 3 pilot program and supported planned state legislation to reinstate specialized services across California.
The other endorsed bipartisan federal legislation known as the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025, which sought to protect the option in law and establish dedicated resources for its operation.
Before the service was discontinued, callers could dial 988 and press 3 to reach a network of specialized LGBTQ+ youth counseling centers. According to the county’s December announcement, more than 14% of 5.1 million callers used the option during its last year of operation.
The broader 988 lifeline continued operating after the specialized option was removed.