Commissioner says federal changes have cut LGBTQ+ specialist support from 988; urges attention
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Summary
Commissioner Andy Kerr told the board that recent federal actions removed LGBTQ+ specialist staffing from the 988 suicide hotline, reducing tailored support for that community even as the county emphasizes suicide prevention.
At the Aug. 26, 2025 meeting, Commissioner Andy Kerr said recent federal actions removed LGBTQ+-specialist staffing from the national 988 suicide hotline and urged awareness of the change as the county promotes suicide-prevention resources.
Kerr said the change reduces specialized callers’ access to LGBTQ+-trained responders, which he described as especially important for suicide prevention in the LGBTQ+ community. He reiterated that 988 remains a national suicide hotline but said the specific specialists previously available to LGBTQ+ callers had been cut by federal actions.
Kerr framed the comment in the context of the county’s local suicide-prevention work and the earlier proclamation declaring September as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. He encouraged residents and providers to continue using local resources and partners such as Second Wind Fund and Jefferson Center for Mental Health while noting this staffing change at the national level.
The remark was made during commissioner reports; no formal county action was proposed at the meeting to address the federal staffing change.