In a study conducted by The Trevor Project in 2024, it was found that 43% of LGBTQ+ young individuals in Ohio had seriously contemplated suicide within the last year, while 12% had actually attempted it.
CLEVELAND — The numbers tell a story.
Tommy Marzella expressed concern over these statistics, highlighting the alarming reality that almost half of LGBTQ+ youth in Ohio have considered suicide recently. The Trevor Project has been actively involved in providing specialized support to this demographic, having handled over 1.3 million calls, chats, and texts through their services.
The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to preventing suicide and offering crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth, initiated services for this community through the 988 Lifeline in September 2022. Specifically, individuals can connect with trained counselors by dialing “3” on the hotline, aiming to provide tailored assistance to those in need of help.
On Tuesday, the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced it was ending these specialized services on July 17, saying it “will no longer silo LGB+ youth services.”
“Everyone who contacts the 988 Lifeline will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counselors who can help with suicidal, substance misuse, or mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress,” the administration said.
Marzella noted how the announcement from the Trump administration did not include the “T” or “Q,” effectively refusing to acknowledge those who identify as either transgender or “queer/questioning.”
“We’re seeing that happen right now in this administration,” Marzella told 3News. “They are claiming that trans people don’t exist, and that is not reality. They are removing the ‘T,’ and I think part of what is so devastating about that is … I just shared how how difficult these suicide numbers are for folks who consider suicide or attempt suicide, and we know that that’s exacerbated for trans people.”
Marzella and other advocates believe shutting down the line will have a crushing impact — which is why they’re moving quickly.
“It’s making people angry, it makes people very upset, very emotional. Folks are triggered, folks are upset and folks want action,” said Marzella. “This is not to go into effect until July 17, so we are pulling every string that we have in hopes that this funding will continue to come through to be that lifeline for those young people.”
A petition to demand lawmakers protect the 988 lifeline is gathering support online. As of Thursday night, the petition had reached over 30,000 signatures.
The Trevor Project offers resources 24/7 for LGBTQ+ young people experiencing a crisis. Find out more about resources HERE.
