Celebrities, including Ariana Grande, express their backing for an LGBTQ+ helpline.
Rewrapped:
🌆 Berlin — Pop sensation Ariana Grande (31), reality TV queen Paris Hilton (44), Academy Award winner Jamie Lee Curtis (66), and more celebs are rallying behind preserving the LGBTQ+ suicide hotline in the US. They've added their names to a public letter from charity The Trevor Project, advocating for continued funding of the service. Suicidal queer youth can count on the number 988 for help.
The potential withdrawal of funds for this service has grabbed headlines. The letter expresses dismay over a proposed budget plan that could strip funding for LGBTQ+-focused services at the 988 suicide and crisis hotline. Such a move would be a disaster for youths nationwide, the letter warns. "This isn't about politics, it's about people," it asserts.
The letter suggests that since its debut in 2022, the service has aided approximately 1.3 million young people wrestling with suicidal thoughts. Around 1.8 million queer youth struggle with such thoughts annually, reports US broadcaster "CBS." The Trevor Project handles around half of the helpline's call volume.
The acronym LGBTQ+ represents Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender individuals, and Queer people, with the '+' acting as a catch-all for additional identities and genders.
The proposed cut could impose grave consequences. LGBTQ+ youth already experience disproportionately high rates of depression, suicidal ideations, and suicide attempts compared to their peers. A 2024 survey by The Trevor Project found that nearly 40% of LGBTQ+ youngsters seriously considered suicide last year, while 12% actually attempted it. The proposed cuts would presumably eliminate access to life-saving services, potentially jeopardizing more lives. The 988 hotline offers specialized services, including counselors trained to cater to LGBTQ+ youngsters and high-risk groups, which are vital for addressing their mental health issues.
Democratic Senators, such as Tammy Baldwin and Elizabeth Warren, have pressed the administration to reconsider these cuts, highlighting the critical role these services play for vulnerable youth. The cut isn't official yet and is still subject to congressional approval, but it's stirred up considerable concern and advocacy efforts to safeguard these crucial services.
- The science behind mental health reveals that LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately affected by depression, suicidal ideations, and suicide attempts.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, the 988 suicide and crisis hotline serves a significant role by providing specialized aid to LGBTQ+ youngsters and high-risk groups.
- Meanwhile, in the entertainment realm, celebrities like Ariana Grande, Paris Hilton, and Jamie Lee Curtis have spoken up for maintaining the critical funding for the LGBTQ+ suicide hotline, showing their support for the health and well-being of this vulnerable community.
