The McLean County Center for Human Services [MCCHS] anticipates an increase in adolescents needing mental health services after the Trump administration announced cuts to suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth.
Starting July 17, the federal government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA] will no longer offer specially trained counselors for LGBTQ+ youth on its 988 suicide prevention hotline.
For five decades, MCCHS has operated as the county’s mobile mental health crisis team. It has staff available to every McLean County school to meet with kids undergoing mental health crises, assess them to see what their needs are, and help to meet those needs.
“The demoralizing misinformation being put out by our current administration and the pressure and stress can really be crushing for an LGBTQIA kid,” MCCHS director Joan Hartman said on WGLT's Sound Ideas.
Studies related to mental health for LGBTQ+ youth show they are around four times as likely to make a suicide attempt compared with the general population. Teens are six times as likely to experience symptoms of depression. The studies attribute these and other statistics to rejection or lack of support by others, particularly from those within their family.
A 2024 report from the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] showed 41% of LGTBQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year.
“That should really worry us here in our county, and they don't need stigmatizing and disdain. What they really need is our love and support now more than ever, and we need to show up for our kids,” said Hartman.
She added societal pressures faced by LGBTQ+ youth provide unnecessary stress during an age that is a stressful time for all.
“They're already naturally struggling with issues around self, identity and being fully understood, and by the adults who care about them is really the opposite of what we should be doing,” said Hartman. “And young people who are experiencing adolescence are naturally experiencing mood fluctuations. Their brains are still developing until they're 25.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
