Starting Thursday, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer offer a separate line for LGBTQ+ youth, ending the service known as the “Press 3” option.

States and mental health organizations are bracing for the closure of a specialized service within 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, for LGBTQ youth on Thursday under orders from

The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — 988 — launched on this day exactly three years ago. People who call the line seeking support are connected to a local network of crisis centers and a trained crisis counselor.

An analysis published July 14 by KFF found that use of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has steadily increased since its launch in July 2022.