On May 4, LGBT YouthLine announced that in order to continue providing 2SLGBTQIA+ youth across Ontario with free peer support and resources, they would have to raise $150,000 over the next few months. The announcement did not come as a surprise; This is the third consecutive year in which they have struggled to access stable funding.
LGBT YouthLine has provided youth in Ontario with accessible peer support and resources for over 30 years. The shutdown of their service would be detrimental to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, who face higher risks of mental health difficulties compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers.
What is LGBT YouthLine?
LGBT YouthLine is a youth-led organization supported by staff, volunteers and donors. They help 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Ontario access resources through their website database, advocacy and referrals. They also help youth connect with other 2SLGBTQIA+ people through their peer support helpline.
LGBT YouthLine provides peer support through their helpline. Trained volunteers are anonymously connected with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth all across Ontario. Volunteers across Ontario (all between the ages of 16 and 29) are trained in anti-racism, harm reduction and active listening.
After an initial discussion about developing a toll-free phone line to assist 2SLGBTQIA+ youth across Ontario was held in May 1993, the helpline officially opened on May 2, 1994. The concept of LGBT YouthLine was developed between 1993 and 1994, with the goal of creating a province-wide line that could reach 2SLGBTQIA+ and questioning youth in rural and remote areas of Ontario.
With the support of hardworking volunteers and community agencies, that goal was reached. After just two years of operating, LGBT YouthLine’s service was providing peer support and information to over 400 people per month.
LGBT YouthLine launched its live online chat in May 2009 and its text support in 2011. As of 2026, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Ontario can reach a trained peer support volunteer between 4 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. (Sunday to Friday) through online chat and text lines.
LGBT YouthLine relies on donations
In September 1995, after initially operating under the wing of the Board of Pink Triangle Services, LGBT YouthLine was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization. Unfortunately, one month later, LGBT YouthLine’s provincial funding was eliminated. While LGBT YouthLine regained their provincial funding, they still continue to rely on donations and community support.
As a result of limited access to funding, increased hate towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the rollback of public support for 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations, LGBT YouthLine needs to raise $150,000. At the time of writing, LGBT YouthLine has raised over $30,000 of that $150,000 goal.
One of the five priorities outlined in LGBT YouthLine’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan is to, “establish a healthy and balanced budget to mitigate risk, enhance resilience, and ensure sustainability.” LGBT YouthLine has made a significant effort to achieve this goal with the financial aid of several foundations, organizations and corporations, as well as monthly donors and community fundraisers.
2SLGBTQIA+ youth face greater mental health risks
Although LGBT YouthLine does not function as a crisis helpline, their accessible, confidential and harm reduction-focussed service provides a safe space for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
2SLGBTQIA+ youth can use the peer support helpline to express the impact of minority stress and negative social interactions, both of which significantly impact mental health and wellbeing.
Youth using the helpline may express thoughts of suicide and self-harm. In the case that a youth needs crisis intervention or support that goes beyond the scope of their training, peer support volunteers can help find an alternative service. Their website gives youth access to both virtual and in-person 2SLGBTQIA+ resources that provide a variety of services, including services related to mental health.
In the 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth between the ages of 15 and 24 were found to have a higher risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts or having a mental health disorder in comparison to youth who are cisgender and heterosexual.
Data showed that 27 per cent of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth met the criteria of a major depressive episode in the year prior to the 2022 survey, and approximately 25 per cent of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth expressed that during this period, they had experienced suicidal thoughts. In comparison, 11 per cent of cisgender and heterosexual youth met the criteria for a major depressive episode, and only 5 per cent reported thoughts of suicide.
Additionally, 66 per cent of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth who met the criteria for a substance use or mental health disorder said that they had talked to a professional about their mental health or substance use in the past year, compared to 38 per cent of cisgender and heterosexual youth.
Mental health, social isolation and seeking referrals to community resources are common things that 2SLGBTQIA+ youth reach out to LGBT YouthLine to talk about. Permanent suspension of LGBT YouthLine’s service would endanger youth who do not have access to mental health and wellness resources like regular counselling or therapy.
LGBT YouthLine is a vital resource for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth
In an article celebrating LGBT YouthLine’s 25th anniversary, The ArQuives wrote, “It was agreed that isolation and lack of information are tremendous barriers facing youth. The group believed that a peer-based phone support line would alleviate the loneliness felt by queer youth, would help to prevent youth from making self-destructive choices because of their overwhelming isolation, and would affirm youth’s sexual identity.”
The loneliness experienced by 2SLGBTQIA+ youth is just one of the many facets of minority stress. Minority stress encapsulates the additional pressure that 2SLGBTQIA+ people experience as a result of discrimination, social stigma and negative societal attitudes. As anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiment continues to rise, LGBT YouthLine’s service is a vital resource for youth who experience minority stress in their everyday lives.
Conclusion
As LGBT YouthLine works towards their $150,000 goal, they continue to uplift 2SLGBTQIA+ youth by providing them with leadership opportunities and by hosting community events. LGBT YouthLine is the only organization in Ontario that solely provides free and accessible peer support for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Ensuring that their service remains open is crucial; 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Ontario depend on it.
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