LGBTQI+ Crisis Line in Washington Helps Nearly 500,000 in a Year

"It gets better." 

That message spread like wildfire across the United States in an organized effort to help combat the rate of suicides in LGBTQ+ youth. Even then-President Obama joined his voice in telling struggling youth that the pain and struggle they were enduring would not last forever.

While that message has helped so many - it doesn't reach everyone. And when you're suffering with rejection, hate, homelessness, depression, or an abusive homelife, such a platitude may only get you so far before you lose hope again.

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There's a 988 Line For LGBT

Nearly a year ago, the 988 Crisis Line added a specialized "subnetwork" for LGBTQI+ individuals. The line is free for LGBTQI+ people under 25 years old, and available 24/7 with trained crisis counselors. Accessing it is as easy as dialing 988 and pressing 3, texting PRIDE to 988, or selecting the option in the 988 online chat.

Is 988 safe to use? Will it report information to parents?

988 is a confidential and private service. Anyone who reaches out, regardless of their crisis, is not required to provide any personally identifying details - only their phone number or IP address is available to the crisis counselor. The counselors on the LGBTQI+ line are also given specialty LGBTQ training involving gender and sexual identity. This makes it a secure place to seek help.

988's LGBTI+ Line Has Helped Nearly 500,000 So Far

Analysis of data between December 2023 and March 2024 showed that 10% of calls and 16% of texts to 988 went directly to the LGBTI+ network, with about 50,000 contacts per month. The study also shows that abandonment rates and wait times are longer on the network, although wait times are generally around a minute or less, which may lead some to change their mind and hang up before being connected.

Vibrant, who services the 988 Suicide & Crisis Line, says that since the 2023 launch of the LGBTI+ line, it has taken more than 475,000 texts, calls, and chats from LGBTQI+ youth and young adults.

Washington State's Use of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Recent data has shown that in the two years since 988's launch in Washington State:

• Call volume to 988 has increased 89%
• Answer rate is 91%
• Telecom fees were introduced to help fund the line

The Washington State Department of Health notes that calls to 988 are routed by area code, and serviced by three organizations: Volunteers of America Western Washington, Frontier Behavioral Health, and Crisis Connections, as outlined in the map below.