HELLO HOMO: Mutual Aid For LGBTQ+ Crisis Workers with Brin Criswell

Hello homos, thems, femmes, queers, and all you amazing rainbow-identified people! 

This Hello Homo, I have questions! What the hell is going on with the LGBTQ+ crisis services 988 being cut? What is happening to this vital resource for LGBTQ+ people, especially our youth, in this incredibly vulnerable time? What is happening to the crisis line workers (heroes, heroines, and nonbinary superstars)? And, what can we as queer community members do to support? 

I started asking these questions to a friend of mine who was one of these essential workers being laid off, Brin Criswell (she/her). As we were talking about this and she was filling me in about what’s going on, I realized this is information we all need to know. So we decided to do a HELLO HOMO together.

Brin was a 988 Lifeline Counselor who provided mental health support and resources to LGBTQ+ Youth over the phone. Now that this vital resource has been cut, Brin is the Lead Organizer for LGBTQ+ 988 Crisis Workers Mutual Aid efforts. 

So Brin, let’s dive in! Tell us a little about you!

Hi, yeah, like you said, I was recently working for the LGBTQ+ 988 Crisis Services and entering new territory in the career field. That said, I am a huge advocate for the LGBTQ+ community as well as the disability community. You’ll usually find me online speaking up about what’s happening in our country, spending time with my loved ones, or creating art, like hand embroidery. I am here today to talk about the sudden shutdown of the LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988.

Brin, can you explain a bit about what happened to 988? 

On June 17, SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration) informed our organization that we were being shut down due to budget cuts per the Trump administration and that July 17 would be the last day our line would be open. Additionally, to add insult to injury, the message was directed to us as ‘LGB’ (without the T).

What was that like within the culture of 988 and amongst the other counselors? 

It was devastating to all of us, and some of us couldn’t even function on our shift because it was such a foul blow to us and what we believe in. When I heard the news, I just broke down crying because this doesn’t just affect my livelihood, but MILLIONS of people’s lives in the community. All that was running through my head was the amount of people’s safety and livelihood that WILL be affected by this. I’m gonna be honest; I drank after my shift because nothing else was calming my nerves, and spoke out to my supports in my life to help me process what was about to happen.

I mean, you are human, and you were coping with a crisis. Even crisis counselors experience crises!

As the days approached the 17th, my nerves and emotions were a roller coaster. The last day we were open, we all cried in what we call the “water cooler,” which is our Google Meet, where we decompress after shifts. It was bittersweet but helped us reflect on all that we accomplished in almost three years. It reminded us that no matter where we end up, we will always fight for queer youth, no matter what it takes. “Defunded, Not Defeated, Still Here”

“Defunded, Not Defeated, Still Here”

What will be the impact of 988 services being cut on the greater LGBTQ+ community and the populations who typically seek support via 988?

Since 2022, we have made an impact of 1.3 million people from multiple marginalized groups (BIPOC, Disabled, LGBTQ+, as well as immigrants) all intersecting each other. This will impact so many lives, especially LGBTQ+ youth. This means that there will be longer wait times for call and text lines which is very dangerous, being exposed to people who are not trained in LGBTQ+ competency and contacts being sent from one center to the next due to higher volume.

How about the impact on the crisis line workers and 988 staff, like yourself?

About 210-plus Crisis Workers will be out of work at a time when the job market is oversaturated. On top of this, these are people from multiple marginalized groups. (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled). Many of them will have an even more difficult time finding work for this reason. This affects their ability to pay for housing, pay for medicine, and pay for food. This was more than a job to many of us crisis workers; this was our passion and our mission. Now we are in disarray and beyond worried for our LGBTQ+ youth.

You’ve started a mutual aid effort to help those losing their jobs. Can you share a bit about that? 

I am currently running a mutual aid and merch site to raise funds for those being affected by this layoff. All proceeds will be going straight to 210-plus Crisis Workers, even if it helps a little, like paying for gas to get to their job interview, food, medicine, housing, or paying for clothes for their next job interview. When it hit me how big of an impact this shutdown was, I just couldn’t sit by and do nothing.

For OFM readers interested in donating, they can do so here:

What are some resources that LGBTQ+ people can utilize now that LGBTQ+ centered 988 resources are gone? 

It’s important to be aware and to share that there are many other Queer lines ready to help LGBTQ+ youth still. Below I have some resources that you can call or text today:

Trans lifeline:
1-877-565-8860

The Trevor Project Lifeline:
Text “START” to 678-678
Call 1-866-488-7386
Go to thetrevororoiect.org to start a chat

LGBT National Youth Talkline:
Youth serving youth up to age 25, offering support and resources.
Call (800) 246-7743

LGBT National Hotline:
Provides a confidential space for callers of all ages to discuss issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity. They offer peer counseling, information, and local resources.
(888) 843-4564

What would you like OFM readers to take away from this interview? 

That one share, one donation or one purchase of merch is a much bigger impact than you realize. If you can’t donate or buy, please raise awareness. Tell your friends and your loved ones what’s happening to us crisis workers and how much of an impact this shutdown really is.

This is a big blow to mental health resources for LGBTQ+ community members across the country. Brin, thank you for taking the time to help make sense of this crisis. OFM, please go follow Brin on Instagram to stay up to date with updates on the mutual aid efforts for laid-off 988 workers and her upcoming endeavors. 

Brins Instagram handle is @onestitchatatimee.

Follow me on Instagram @holistic.homosexual for updates on my column, and stay tuned for the next HELLO HOMO! See you next week!

Have a question you would like answered? Submit your questions directly to me at hellohomo@ofm.media

Disclaimer: Hello Homo is for informational and educational purposes and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. Hello, Homo (Jesse Proia) is not providing mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment to readers. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, please contact 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Images/photos courtesy of Brin Criswell