The Shapiro administration is allocating state resources to preserve specialized supports for LGBTQ callers that were removed from a national suicide and crisis hotline in July.

With the 988 hotline used by millions of Pennsylvanians, Gov. Josh Shapiro posted on X in mid-August that he was directing officials to train additional operators in the state to help LGBTQ youth who call in.

The line, available to anyone who calls 988, had an option for nearly three years available to LGBTQ callers seeking an operator specially trained to support them. Though that “press 3” option ended July 17, federal funding remains steady overall for the hotline.

“The Trump administration’s decision to defund counseling for LGBTQ+ youth who are struggling with mental health is just cruel,” Mr. Shapiro’s pos

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