During a Pride Month proclamation signing last week, Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio, the first and only openly gay Lieutenant Governor in the United States, announced a policy change under the Trump administration that caught many off guard.

“There’s been a decision in 988 nationally to cut off the pipeline for the people that are looking to talk to somebody from the LGBTQ+ community that are looking for support,” said Lt. Gov. Tenorio. 

Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center Director Carissa Pangelinan were among those who learned that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's specialized services for LGBTQI+ youth will be eliminated by July 17.

“I was sitting there hearing it for the first time. It’s very concerning to us because the data that we know from SAMHSA– like the last one came out in 2023– which basically shows that the LGBTQI+ people are at a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. They’re also at a higher risk of substance use. They’re at a higher risk of mental health challenges as well as homelessness. And these are all social challenges you see on Guam already at higher rates,” said Pangelinan. 

Launched in 2022, the ‘Press 3’ feature connects LGBTQI+ youth to trained counselors at the Trevor Project, familiar with their unique challenges. 

But in less than a month, federal funding will no longer be available for the specialized service. 

“When you call 988 right now, you’ll hear a prompt– press one for veteran’s services and press three for LGBTQI+ services. That option number three is no longer going to be there. But it doesn’t mean that 988 is no longer going to be there,” added Pangelinan. 

She says her staff undergo sensitivity and awareness training for the LGBTQ+ community, though not at the level the Trevor Project was providing. 

“I was sitting there sending a message to my program manager for 988 saying I need you to send an email right now to SAMHSA, our funder, to ask in light of President Trump’s cut, are you going to provide the local networks or specialized training now for that population,” said Pangelinan. 

Guam Behavioral Health is now evaluating other options to continue to provide the specialized service, to include working with community partners like UOG’s Triton Pride Alliance and GALA Guam.

“Just rest assured that as the public behavioral health agency, we are looking at other types of support our community needs in light of all of this. We want to keep the confidence the community has in calling our 988. You will be received well on the other end by trained, professional and compassionate life specialists,” said Pangelinan.