Suicide Hotlines See Spike In Calls Following Donald Trump’s Victory

Trans Lifeline Unable To Keep Up As Volume Increases Tenfold

Crisis hotlines are reporting an increase in traffic following the election as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to lead the country. Tuesday night showed a surge in reported calls to four major suicide hotlines.

The nation’s largest crisis hotline, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, saw an increase of calls around midnight, after the election results became clear. Call volume tripled, before settling back to normal by Thursday.

Hotline Director John Draper explained: “When there is a community event or a national event that can in some ways provoke anxiety or fear or a sense of loss, that’s going to aggravate existing feelings of loss, anxiety, or fear. If you’re already worried about your family, your job, your relationship, your lot in life, your health, this is going to aggravate it.”

Crisis Text Line, a text-based hotline, saw messages quadruple over two days. According to the hotline, the words “election” and “scared” were the two most mentioned.

The Trevor Project, a suicide hotline for young LGBTQ people, saw calls double after the election.

The Trans Lifeline was unable to keep up with call volume, which increased tenfold. Most callers to the hotline were unable to get through.

The Republican Party now controls Congress and the Executive Branch. If Merrick Garland is not confirmed before President Barack Obama leaves office, Trump likely will nominate a socially conservative justice to the Supreme Court, which could then overturn decisions including Roe v. Wade and Obergefell v. Hodges.

The party’s platform includes overturning marriage equality and LGBTQ protections across the board. Trump’s Vice President-elect Mike Pence has publicly supported the idea of “conversion therapy”.

Trump’s record on LGBT issues during his campaign has been conflicting. He both publicly stated that Caitlyn Jenner and other trans women were welcome to use the restroom corresponding with their gender at Trump Tower and supported a North Carolina law restricting trans restroom access. He promised to appoint judges who would overturn Obergefell before holding a pride flag during one of his final rallies.

While these hotlines are experiencing heavy traffic, they are set up to help. Do not hesitate to call if you need to.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-237-8255 (TALK)

Crisis Text Line: Text “GO” to 741741

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860

GLBT National Youth Talk: 1-800-246-7743