May 14, 2025 • 28 mins
In this deeply moving episode, Lisa and G open up about the lifesaving power of the 988 crisis lifeline. From personal stories to professional insights, they explore how these services are changing—and saving—lives every day.
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🎙️ Episode Sponsored by TheHelpHUB.co
This episode is proudly brought to you by TheHelpHUB.co.
Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just… alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB—your online destination for mental health resources, content, and tools to help you navigate whatever challenges you’re facing. With over 16 categories of support and a deeply inclusive approach, you’ll find the personalized help you need when you need it most. Visit https://www.thehelphub.co/ today. 💙
📄 Episode Summary
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this episode is a heartfelt homage to the value of crisis support. Hosts Lisa and G share emotional firsthand experiences, provide behind-the-scenes insight into what really happens when you call 988, and amplify the importance of accessible support through platforms like The HelpHUB, Trevor Project, and the Crisis Text Line. With raw vulnerability, they debunk misconceptions, highlight the impact of human connection, and call us all to action—because everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and safe.
📘 Lessons Learned
- 988 is more than a number—it's a gateway to connection, compassion, and lifesaving support.
- You don't need to be suicidal to call; any form of emotional distress is valid.
- Creating a personal safety plan can provide essential clarity in moments of crisis.
- Sharing our stories not only heals us, but can save someone else's life.
- Awareness is key—amplifying resources ensures they’re accessible to those who need them most.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
The Survivors is brought to you by our friends at the Help Hub.
(00:05):
This podcast mentions suicide, mental illness, grief and loss and may be triggering for some
listeners.
So please take care of your mental well-being by pausing or skipping any sections that
feel uncomfortable to you.
And if you or someone you know is struggling, please call 9-8-8 for support.
So it's still mental health awareness month and I'm thrilled that it's still mental health
(00:26):
awareness month because we wait all year long to get to this time of year where everybody's
talking the talk.
Everybody's amplifying the resources and putting spotlight on tools and supports and I absolutely
love it, especially as a suicide loss survivor like I absolutely love seeing my feeds filled
(00:47):
and filled with all the organizations who are chiming in with what they have to offer
because there's so much out there and we're so lucky to live in this digital age where
everybody can share what they have, can share what they use and I know you and I are spending
time, dedicating time this month to having these conversations about the resources that
(01:12):
are out there in the world, the ones that maybe you and I have created like we talked about
last week or maybe the ones that you and I have taken advantage of like we're going to
talk about today or ones that we just know about that we want to share.
So this isn't, I'm excited, you excited?
I'm excited because it's like that one time of the year where all the resources combined
(01:37):
right and make it available for people that really didn't know about those resources.
For me when I found out about 988 and happened to be in November of 2022, I don't know if it
was a commercial or something that I saw but there's a lot of people that don't realize
(01:58):
that these crisis lines are available that they're free and they're anonymous and that you
can use them for any effort, you don't have to be having suicidal ideation or you could
just be in crisis and these numbers are available for you for that reason.
(02:20):
Yeah, exactly.
So I think that's why it made so much sense like last week if you listened to last week's
episode, G and I talked about her other podcast that she cheats on me with called Shit that
Goes On in our heads.
No, no, that was a podcast that existed long before the Survivors podcast.
I know.
(02:40):
Yeah, being better.
No, it's so better.
It's an incredible resource.
We talked about my platform, the Help Hub.
It seemed like this week's natural conversation would be, for so many reasons, would be about
the 988 crisis lifeline in particular and other similar platforms like, for instance,
(03:01):
the Trevor Project where I volunteer for the LGBTQ community and the crisis text line.
Let's talk about the 988 lifeline.
Let's talk about the fact that people may not even know that it exists.
Like you said, there has always been an 800 number for many, many, many years and the mental
health community kind of banded together and decided like, that's a lot of numbers that
(03:26):
people need to remember when they're in the middle of a crisis.
Why not, why not create something similar to 911?
Like your house is getting broken into or there's some kind of an accident and you'll just
know, call 911, everybody understands it.
Why not do that for our mental health and wellness?
(03:47):
So they created a shorter version of this long 800 number.
Three digits, it's all you have to do is dial 911.
I'm sorry, 988.
See?
Now I'm stuck on 911.
You dial 988 and you are immediately connected to a trained crisis counselor who is prepared
(04:09):
to help you navigate what you're dealing with, whatever it may be, prepared to support
you with resources, prepared to help you with a safety plan or some kind of an intervention
if that's necessary.
Now all of a sudden, you have this 24/7 through 65 resource that's always in your back pocket
(04:29):
if you're struggling and a lot of people still, like you said, don't even know that it's
out there.
Percent.
And when I called my 98, I would just say the woman that answered that phone was the most
compassionate woman I've ever spoken to in my life.
Gave me a ton of resources, literally talked me off the wedge, you know, made me feel comfortable,
(04:51):
let me air out my concerns and just get a clearer head.
After I had that phone call, I actually, that's when I went down and talked to my wife and
that was the first time that she knew how depressed I was.
But at the time, like I didn't know how to express what was going on and you know, the 988
person from 988 was able to help me formulate how to have that conversation.
(05:12):
And you know, it was free, it was anonymous.
And I'm not sure if everybody knows this, but 988 is also available in Canada.
I was on a podcast episode not too long ago and we were talking about 988 and they didn't
realize that that that number is also available in Canada.
I've had at least three people reach out to me and let me know that there were teenagers
(05:34):
that actually called 988 to get help.
So it's any age range, right?
Use the numbers.
They're there for help and it's confidential and they can, they really do help.
And it's free.
Yeah.
And what a lot of people don't realize also is that, and I know this just from being a
counselor, crisis counselor, there are so many people out there who don't have community.
(05:58):
They don't have a partner.
They don't have a family.
They maybe don't have the ability to go out and interact with the world.
And there are people who use this lifeline as a literal lifeline to connect them to other
human beings just to have a simple conversation.
They're not calling because they're overwhelmed or they're depressed or they're suicidal per
(06:20):
say, they're calling because they just want human connection.
They want human contact and speaking as a Trevor project lifeline worker, I can tell you
that in our internal community, we call those people familiar voices.
And a lot of these lifelines have those same familiar voices of people who just like want
(06:40):
to talk to a human because they don't get that in their day to day life.
So they spend 10 or 15 minutes just talking about whatever's on their mind, not trying
to get help or looking for help.
So there are so many different ways that you can take advantage of this service.
I think you and I have talked in other episodes and past episodes about the misconception
(07:02):
around 988 and you kind of alluded to it a few minutes ago.
But I think it's important to dig a little deeper into that aspect of the 988 number or
any lifeline number.
You don't have to be suicidal.
You don't have to be in an extreme crisis situation like whatever you're going through like all
(07:24):
the things that we all go through, even though so many of the things we all deal with are
similar.
They're different depending on who we are and what's challenging for me may not be challenging
for you.
So it's all relative, which means that if it's a crisis for you, maybe maybe you've had
a terrible breakup, maybe you're facing homelessness or facing food insecurity or you
(07:45):
have an abuse issue that you're dealing with or you're terrified to come out to your family.
Whatever it might be, you lost your job.
Those are all crises.
Those are all issues that you've got to navigate issues that affect your mental wellness and
it's what we're there for.
So don't ever for a second, if you're listening to this, don't ever for a second think that
(08:07):
you can't pick up the phone and call a lifeline because what you're dealing with is not worthy
of a phone call.
Like anybody with any kind of a crisis can call a lifeline or text a lifeline and will
be there on the other end to listen every single time.
And just my own personal plea to the companies out there, you know, you all have Bolton Boards,
(08:30):
you all have electronic Bolton Boards, put the crisis line numbers out there because having
that available to you while you're in your in the trenches working, you know, things
come up.
Right.
And if you don't have it saved in your phone, at least have a place where they can look
that information up at work so they have it available.
(08:52):
That's my own personal, uh, four on one is, you know, get it out there, make it, make it
available to your employees.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's, um, it's interesting to see how nine, eight has taken off and in a good way.
But it's also interesting to, just to learn how many people still are unaware that it's
(09:15):
out there.
And you, you said something I wanted to touch on it.
You said something about how in Canada, there's the nine, eight, crisis lifeline almost every
country in the world has their version of a nine, eight lifeline.
It may not be the digits nine, eight, eight, but most countries have their version of a
lifeline.
(09:36):
And I think it's everybody's responsibility to find out what that is like wherever you are
in the world.
Find out what your local lifeline number is.
Put that number in your phone.
Let the people in your orbit know what that number is so that people will know that when
they're in distress, there's always a way to get help.
I know that on my own platform, you go to the help hub dot CO and there is a page dedicated
(10:02):
to crisis support resources.
And on that page is a link that will take you to the majority of those country numbers.
So it's they're out there and they're designed to help you when you're in a situation where
you maybe don't have an immediate support system or maybe you have a therapist that you
can't reach or a counselor you can't connect with and you just need someone to support
(10:27):
you.
So we all make sure that we have those numbers top of mind and and I know just we will obviously
include these numbers a lot of the bigger platforms in our show notes, but I want to say
it right here and now obviously nine, eight, eight is the number anyone in any crisis situation
can call for the LGBTQ community.
(10:49):
Anyone can contact the Trevor project.
By calling 8664887386 or use the crisis text line.
A lot of people, a lot of people maybe aren't comfortable talking.
It's too too intimate to talk to somebody kind of voice to voice.
They need a little bit of a buffer to feel a little bit protected.
(11:10):
So people can utilize the crisis text line.
All you have to do is pick up your phone text HOA to 741 741 and you'll reach a counselor
and you can share what's on your mind share, you know, what you're struggling with and and
make no mistake make no mistake about any of these crisis services.
(11:30):
We are not clinicians.
The people who do what I do on these lifelines, we are trained for sure in deescalating
crisis situation.
We're trained in how to hold space.
We're trained in how to create safety plans.
We're trained on how to do safety assessments and we're trained on how to provide resources
and support.
But we are not clinicians.
We do have clinicians who are on staff who can get involved in a call if it's necessary.
(11:56):
But we are trained to help you in some of the fundamental ways that can get you from the
point of being hopeless or struggling to a point of stability and a point of having a
plan.
So keep those things in mind.
You know, it's like super simple.
Like everybody should have it on speed dials is my opinion.
(12:17):
You know, you brought up an important part about like a safety plan.
You should all have a safety plan.
Have it pinned up on your refrigerator.
If you have more than one refrigerator, have it pinned on to because when you're in that
moment of crisis, nobody wants to dig through their phone for a phone number.
And yes, having 988 on speed dial is great, but have a safety plan.
(12:38):
Like who am I going to call in this situation?
You know, make sure you have your emergency contacts on there.
Make sure you have, you know, maybe you need the pharmacy things like that, but create
a safety plan and have it handy because it helps you.
Helps in the moment, right?
For me, like I need something tangible in my hand when I'm going through crisis.
(12:58):
Having my safety plan helps me.
We have all the emergency numbers written down.
We have the things that we need at that moment, but you know, it's something that can evolve.
And my own personal experience with 988 and Stan, that lady saved my life that day.
Literally saved my life.
Calm, passionate, patron, let me get through my shit, give me the resources I needed.
(13:21):
And not 20, 25 minutes after that phone call, I was on the phone making an appointment for
therapy.
I'm literally alive today because of that number.
And I don't, I can't even fathom what would have happened if I hadn't had that number.
So my plea to everyone is please put that phone number in your phone because you may not
(13:43):
meet it, but maybe you have a friend or a coworker or a loved one that does meet that number.
And just remember you're enough, you know, the world needs you.
You make the world a better place by just being in here.
You may not think it at that very moment, but you are enough.
And I can't harp enough and I'm trying not to harp on the importance of these crisis
(14:09):
lines.
And it's at the beginning of the year, the call volume to the crisis lines has seen us
a very horrific increase in calls, but there's people after they are trained that really
want to help.
And they may not be able to answer all your questions, but they can at least point you
in the right direction so you can get the help that you need.
(14:31):
Struggling with your mental health, feeling lost, overwhelmed or just alone, well, you're
not.
Welcome to the help hub.
Your online destination for mental health resources, content and tools to help you navigate
whatever mental health challenges you are facing in the moment.
At the help hub, we offer individualized resources tailored to your unique needs and community,
(14:53):
with over 16 different categories to find exactly the kind of personalized help you need
when you need it most.
Because even though we all deal with many of the same challenges, we don't always experience
those challenges the same way.
So whether you're looking for crisis support, downloadable resources or an extensive archive
of mental health-related articles and videos we've got you.
(15:16):
From episodes of the Survivors podcast for suicide law survivors, and lived experience
blogs to interactive tools and professional connections, the help hub needs you where you
are and helps you move forward with strength and support.
Remember, you don't have to do this alone.
Visit thehelphub.co today.
Yeah.
(15:37):
Yeah, that's such a powerful statement.
Like I, first of all, I'm just so grateful that you picked up the phone and you called in
that moment.
Selfishly, I'm grateful because you're here and we're doing beautiful things together
and you're one of the most important people now in my world.
And, you know, you talk about making an impact and you talk about adding value to the world.
(15:59):
The value that you add to the world and to my world is immeasurable.
And I'm just so grateful that you picked up the phone that day.
And I think it's so important for people to get that perspective, like what you were going
through and what you did and how you navigated that situation and kind of like the after.
Like what happened after?
What it did for you?
How it deescalated you?
(16:20):
How it gave you some clarity?
How it helped you to find the next step, which was to call your therapist and then to put
a plan in place.
I think also what might be useful for us to talk about is what is it like?
Like, you know, you just spoke about it from the perspective of the person calling and what
your experience was the way I can speak to it.
(16:42):
And this is the beauty of this podcast because we're two different kinds of survivors with
two different kinds of perspectives.
And I'm also on lifeline.
So I also have that perspective.
So I think it's important to let people know like here's what happens when you call a
lifeline.
Here's what to expect because a lot of people are terrified.
You said you were.
You weren't sure.
It was the first time.
(17:02):
It was the first time you'd ever done that.
You didn't know what you were getting into.
You didn't know what you'd have to say or what you'd have to do.
And that's a nerve.
You're already dealing with all these heightened emotions and you're already, you know, you're
already so emotionally fragile.
So here's what happens.
And I'm going to give you this scenario based on my experience as a Trevor project crisis
(17:25):
counselor.
When someone calls, first and foremost, my job, our job is not to solve your problem.
Every single one of us wishes that that was our job.
It's not our job.
It's not our job because at the end of the day, we all have to take responsibility for ourselves.
We all have to make sure that we can navigate through our situations and find the help that
(17:47):
we need.
So we are there to support.
We're there to validate.
We're there to listen.
One of the most important things that we do on the crisis lifelines, we hold space.
We listen.
We're going to let you know that you're not alone.
We're going to let you know that you are absolutely valid in your feelings or valid, your experiences
are valid.
So what we're going to do when we start talking to you is try to create a rapport.
(18:12):
We want to create a relationship.
We want to create an environment where you feel seen and heard and supported and safe.
So that's like priority number one for anyone of us on a lifeline.
So even though I'm speaking from a Trevor project lifeline perspective, most of the lifelines,
(18:33):
I'm also a certified 98 crisis counselor.
They all function in the same way.
They're all very similar in terms of like approach and the things that we try to accomplish
during a call.
One of the things that we do next after we start building that rapport is the safety assessment.
Now that's a really standard protocol on any lifeline.
(18:54):
Like whether you're calling because you had a terrible breakup or you lost your job or
your dog died and you're grieving, like whatever it is, we need to know that you're safe.
We need to know that you're not going to harm yourself or harm anybody else.
So we're going to ask you some questions and they're going to be some pretty blunt questions
because at the end of the day, you have contacted a suicide and crisis hotline.
(19:19):
And so we need to make sure that you're safe.
So we're going to ask you direct questions like, are you thinking of killing yourself?
And those are the words we're going to use because those are the words we have to use because
we need you to know that it's okay to be honest with us about whether you do or don't
want to harm yourself.
The next thing we're going to ask you is, have you done anything today or in the last several
(19:39):
days to try and harm yourself?
We give you the opportunity to answer us and kind of think of it like a decision tree.
Like if you're looking for a visual, think of like you ask the question, the yes or no
question and depending on how the person answers, you go down one side.
If it's a yes answer, you go down another side.
If it's no answers, depending on how someone answers, that dictates what the next round
(20:01):
of questions are going to be.
And if someone, someone's on the phone with me and they say, yeah, actually, I am thinking
of, of harming myself and I did try to harm myself.
Well, okay, what did you do?
What, how did you try to harm yourself?
What, what did you use?
Do you have a plan in place?
And are you planning on executing this plan?
Like is it, is it today?
(20:21):
Tomorrow is it next month or next year?
And we're evaluating, we're figuring out, we're kind of ranking where you're at, depending
on what you say.
Like, if you say you want to harm yourself today within 24 hours, well, that's considered
imminent risk.
So we're going to handle that pretty differently.
If you're saying, well, next week, I'm going to do something next week.
Okay, that's, that's a different sense of urgency.
(20:42):
That's a high risk.
You know, if you don't have a plan in place, you don't have the means in place.
You haven't identified any of those things.
Well, we're going to consider that a low or a medium risk call.
So the calls will be gauged appropriately.
And then we're really going to start talking like, okay, what brought you to this point?
What happened?
Because it's usually never one thing, right?
(21:04):
It's like, no, 1000 things.
And one of them just happens to kind of tip the scale.
So we'll talk about that.
And then we'll talk about, we'll ask you, what's your support system look like?
Who do you have to lean on?
Like when you feel the way that you're feeling, when you feel dysregulated like this, what
do you do?
Like what have you done in the past that kind of calms you down or kind of shifts your,
(21:27):
your energy.
And, and we'll talk about those things.
And, and we'll kind of pick out the important bits of those conversations as we try to put
together a safety plan of like, okay, how do I keep you safe in this moment?
Number one, and how do I keep you safe after you hang up the phone with me?
Maybe it's call your therapist.
Maybe it's talk to your partner.
Maybe it's talk to a parent.
(21:48):
Maybe it's reach out and find a therapist.
Maybe it's, you know, a voluntary intervention where someone like knows that they're, they're
not going to be able to trust themselves.
And maybe I help them feel confident reaching out to a doctor or admitting themselves to
a hospital for evaluation to protect themselves.
(22:08):
So there are all sorts of different outcomes that happen from a conversation like that.
But the bottom line is whatever reason you have for calling someone that's on a crisis
lifeline, you're going to get supported.
You are going to be validated.
No one is going to be judging you.
And to the best of our abilities, we are going to give you the help and support that we have
(22:32):
within our means to make sure that you can get through this, this moment.
And that's, that's how it goes.
And I can attest to that 1000%.
You know, by the time I got off the call, I had it within me to, you know, contact a therapist.
I got downstairs and talked to my wife.
(22:54):
You know, she had no idea how depressed I was.
As an extrovert, I did a really good job.
And okay, not something I should be proud of.
But I did a really good job of hiding my depression.
And then the very next day I started sharing my story, sharing my journey on social media.
Because as terrified as I was, I knew that my friends and family and other people would
(23:17):
be just as terrified.
Because I had no idea, you know, and I'm so thankful for 988.
And I will scream that number from the top of every building in every corner of the country.
Because I need people to realize that it's there.
And, you know, it's not publicized enough.
So it's out to podcasts by guards and also shit that goes on our heads to let people know
(23:40):
that number is available.
You know, it saves lives every day.
It does.
And there's no barrier, which is the most beautiful thing.
You know, we've alluded to this, talked about this in the past many times, that there are
so many people out there in the world who just are alone.
They just, they don't have a community, they don't have a support system, maybe they don't
(24:05):
have insurance coverage that allows them to get professional help.
And so sometimes the difference, and I need to put it in these terms.
Sometimes it's the difference between life and death to have a resource like the 988 crisis
lifeline or the Trevor project or the crisis text line to have these resources that are
(24:27):
there regardless of whatever other kinds of support you have or maybe don't have in your
life.
Those are available and they're free and there are things that every single one of us should
be taking advantage of and sharing and publicizing and, you know, tattooing on our foreheads
kind of thing.
(24:47):
You know what I mean?
Because it really can be the difference between someone's life or death.
So true.
You know, white text red.
But in that moment, I wasn't sure what to do and my fingers were trembling when I made
that phone call.
It was, it felt like the time when I hit the deer, right?
(25:10):
Like my fingers were trembling.
But I knew I needed to make that call because there was still that glimmer.
There was that glimmer of hope that things were going to be okay.
I just needed to talk to somebody and they helped me find my foot.
They only find my voice because for months, I couldn't find my own voice.
I had that voice in the back of my head, but nobody saw that.
(25:31):
Nobody heard that and they gave me an outlet and that's exactly what I needed.
I needed an outlet where I felt safe and I've never felt more safe.
We're very lucky that this kind of a resource exists and I think it's our collective responsibility.
Anyone, anyone with a heartbeat.
I don't care what community you're part of.
(25:55):
If you're part of the mental health community or not, every one of us needs to be promoting
that this resource exists because that's how we ensure that people feel supported.
It's a scary, scary, it's scary enough to deal with so many of the things that we all deal
(26:15):
with silently.
Like you talk about being an extrovert and being in that grouping of people who is affected
by mental illness and doesn't talk about it.
It's scary enough to be in that headspace, let alone trying to figure out how to reach
out for help.
This is a no-brainer.
It's an absolute no-brainer and I love the fact that this month in the month of May, we
(26:38):
get to hype it and hype it and promote it every time we get behind the mic.
That was our message.
That's our message today.
If you take nothing else away from this particular conversation, know that you are never alone.
Sure.
Help is out there and it's three digits away.
It's just 988 and someone will always be there to help.
(27:01):
Thank you so much Lisa.
This was such a great episode and I'm looking forward to talking to you next week.
I am too.
I just don't know why you're calling me by my name.
You never call me by my name.
Okay, sugar.
Okay, and it feels better.
All right.
Okay.
Thanks for joining us on the survivors.
Remember, no matter how tough things feel, you are in up and the world needs you just the
(27:24):
way you are.
You're not alone in this journey.
There's a community here and every step forward counts.
We're so grateful you took the time to listen and we hope you'll take one day at a time.
Just know there's always more light ahead.
Thanks for being here friends.
Just remember, help is out there in so many different places.
So if you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 and a trained crisis counselor
(27:47):
like me will be there to help.
You can also find an inclusive and comprehensive directory of mental health resources, tools,
and content at thehelphub.co.
Just remember that help is always just a call or a click away.
We'll catch you next week.
In the meantime, keep surviving.
[BLANK_AUDIO]
The Survivors is brought to you by our friends at the Help Hub.
(00:05):
This podcast mentions suicide, mental illness, grief and loss and may be triggering for some
listeners.
So please take care of your mental well-being by pausing or skipping any sections that
feel uncomfortable to you.
And if you or someone you know is struggling, please call 9-8-8 for support.
So it's still mental health awareness month and I'm thrilled that it's still mental health
(00:26):
awareness month because we wait all year long to get to this time of year where everybody's
talking the talk.
Everybody's amplifying the resources and putting spotlight on tools and supports and I absolutely
love it, especially as a suicide loss survivor like I absolutely love seeing my feeds filled
(00:47):
and filled with all the organizations who are chiming in with what they have to offer
because there's so much out there and we're so lucky to live in this digital age where
everybody can share what they have, can share what they use and I know you and I are spending
time, dedicating time this month to having these conversations about the resources that
(01:12):
are out there in the world, the ones that maybe you and I have created like we talked about
last week or maybe the ones that you and I have taken advantage of like we're going to
talk about today or ones that we just know about that we want to share.
So this isn't, I'm excited, you excited?
I'm excited because it's like that one time of the year where all the resources combined
(01:37):
right and make it available for people that really didn't know about those resources.
For me when I found out about 988 and happened to be in November of 2022, I don't know if it
was a commercial or something that I saw but there's a lot of people that don't realize
(01:58):
that these crisis lines are available that they're free and they're anonymous and that you
can use them for any effort, you don't have to be having suicidal ideation or you could
just be in crisis and these numbers are available for you for that reason.
(02:20):
Yeah, exactly.
So I think that's why it made so much sense like last week if you listened to last week's
episode, G and I talked about her other podcast that she cheats on me with called Shit that
Goes On in our heads.
No, no, that was a podcast that existed long before the Survivors podcast.
I know.
(02:40):
Yeah, being better.
No, it's so better.
It's an incredible resource.
We talked about my platform, the Help Hub.
It seemed like this week's natural conversation would be, for so many reasons, would be about
the 988 crisis lifeline in particular and other similar platforms like, for instance,
(03:01):
the Trevor Project where I volunteer for the LGBTQ community and the crisis text line.
Let's talk about the 988 lifeline.
Let's talk about the fact that people may not even know that it exists.
Like you said, there has always been an 800 number for many, many, many years and the mental
health community kind of banded together and decided like, that's a lot of numbers that
(03:26):
people need to remember when they're in the middle of a crisis.
Why not, why not create something similar to 911?
Like your house is getting broken into or there's some kind of an accident and you'll just
know, call 911, everybody understands it.
Why not do that for our mental health and wellness?
(03:47):
So they created a shorter version of this long 800 number.
Three digits, it's all you have to do is dial 911.
I'm sorry, 988.
See?
Now I'm stuck on 911.
You dial 988 and you are immediately connected to a trained crisis counselor who is prepared
(04:09):
to help you navigate what you're dealing with, whatever it may be, prepared to support
you with resources, prepared to help you with a safety plan or some kind of an intervention
if that's necessary.
Now all of a sudden, you have this 24/7 through 65 resource that's always in your back pocket
(04:29):
if you're struggling and a lot of people still, like you said, don't even know that it's
out there.
Percent.
And when I called my 98, I would just say the woman that answered that phone was the most
compassionate woman I've ever spoken to in my life.
Gave me a ton of resources, literally talked me off the wedge, you know, made me feel comfortable,
(04:51):
let me air out my concerns and just get a clearer head.
After I had that phone call, I actually, that's when I went down and talked to my wife and
that was the first time that she knew how depressed I was.
But at the time, like I didn't know how to express what was going on and you know, the 988
person from 988 was able to help me formulate how to have that conversation.
(05:12):
And you know, it was free, it was anonymous.
And I'm not sure if everybody knows this, but 988 is also available in Canada.
I was on a podcast episode not too long ago and we were talking about 988 and they didn't
realize that that that number is also available in Canada.
I've had at least three people reach out to me and let me know that there were teenagers
(05:34):
that actually called 988 to get help.
So it's any age range, right?
Use the numbers.
They're there for help and it's confidential and they can, they really do help.
And it's free.
Yeah.
And what a lot of people don't realize also is that, and I know this just from being a
counselor, crisis counselor, there are so many people out there who don't have community.
(05:58):
They don't have a partner.
They don't have a family.
They maybe don't have the ability to go out and interact with the world.
And there are people who use this lifeline as a literal lifeline to connect them to other
human beings just to have a simple conversation.
They're not calling because they're overwhelmed or they're depressed or they're suicidal per
(06:20):
say, they're calling because they just want human connection.
They want human contact and speaking as a Trevor project lifeline worker, I can tell you
that in our internal community, we call those people familiar voices.
And a lot of these lifelines have those same familiar voices of people who just like want
(06:40):
to talk to a human because they don't get that in their day to day life.
So they spend 10 or 15 minutes just talking about whatever's on their mind, not trying
to get help or looking for help.
So there are so many different ways that you can take advantage of this service.
I think you and I have talked in other episodes and past episodes about the misconception
(07:02):
around 988 and you kind of alluded to it a few minutes ago.
But I think it's important to dig a little deeper into that aspect of the 988 number or
any lifeline number.
You don't have to be suicidal.
You don't have to be in an extreme crisis situation like whatever you're going through like all
(07:24):
the things that we all go through, even though so many of the things we all deal with are
similar.
They're different depending on who we are and what's challenging for me may not be challenging
for you.
So it's all relative, which means that if it's a crisis for you, maybe maybe you've had
a terrible breakup, maybe you're facing homelessness or facing food insecurity or you
(07:45):
have an abuse issue that you're dealing with or you're terrified to come out to your family.
Whatever it might be, you lost your job.
Those are all crises.
Those are all issues that you've got to navigate issues that affect your mental wellness and
it's what we're there for.
So don't ever for a second, if you're listening to this, don't ever for a second think that
(08:07):
you can't pick up the phone and call a lifeline because what you're dealing with is not worthy
of a phone call.
Like anybody with any kind of a crisis can call a lifeline or text a lifeline and will
be there on the other end to listen every single time.
And just my own personal plea to the companies out there, you know, you all have Bolton Boards,
(08:30):
you all have electronic Bolton Boards, put the crisis line numbers out there because having
that available to you while you're in your in the trenches working, you know, things
come up.
Right.
And if you don't have it saved in your phone, at least have a place where they can look
that information up at work so they have it available.
(08:52):
That's my own personal, uh, four on one is, you know, get it out there, make it, make it
available to your employees.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's, um, it's interesting to see how nine, eight has taken off and in a good way.
But it's also interesting to, just to learn how many people still are unaware that it's
(09:15):
out there.
And you, you said something I wanted to touch on it.
You said something about how in Canada, there's the nine, eight, crisis lifeline almost every
country in the world has their version of a nine, eight lifeline.
It may not be the digits nine, eight, eight, but most countries have their version of a
lifeline.
(09:36):
And I think it's everybody's responsibility to find out what that is like wherever you are
in the world.
Find out what your local lifeline number is.
Put that number in your phone.
Let the people in your orbit know what that number is so that people will know that when
they're in distress, there's always a way to get help.
I know that on my own platform, you go to the help hub dot CO and there is a page dedicated
(10:02):
to crisis support resources.
And on that page is a link that will take you to the majority of those country numbers.
So it's they're out there and they're designed to help you when you're in a situation where
you maybe don't have an immediate support system or maybe you have a therapist that you
can't reach or a counselor you can't connect with and you just need someone to support
(10:27):
you.
So we all make sure that we have those numbers top of mind and and I know just we will obviously
include these numbers a lot of the bigger platforms in our show notes, but I want to say
it right here and now obviously nine, eight, eight is the number anyone in any crisis situation
can call for the LGBTQ community.
(10:49):
Anyone can contact the Trevor project.
By calling 8664887386 or use the crisis text line.
A lot of people, a lot of people maybe aren't comfortable talking.
It's too too intimate to talk to somebody kind of voice to voice.
They need a little bit of a buffer to feel a little bit protected.
(11:10):
So people can utilize the crisis text line.
All you have to do is pick up your phone text HOA to 741 741 and you'll reach a counselor
and you can share what's on your mind share, you know, what you're struggling with and and
make no mistake make no mistake about any of these crisis services.
(11:30):
We are not clinicians.
The people who do what I do on these lifelines, we are trained for sure in deescalating
crisis situation.
We're trained in how to hold space.
We're trained in how to create safety plans.
We're trained on how to do safety assessments and we're trained on how to provide resources
and support.
But we are not clinicians.
We do have clinicians who are on staff who can get involved in a call if it's necessary.
(11:56):
But we are trained to help you in some of the fundamental ways that can get you from the
point of being hopeless or struggling to a point of stability and a point of having a
plan.
So keep those things in mind.
You know, it's like super simple.
Like everybody should have it on speed dials is my opinion.
(12:17):
You know, you brought up an important part about like a safety plan.
You should all have a safety plan.
Have it pinned up on your refrigerator.
If you have more than one refrigerator, have it pinned on to because when you're in that
moment of crisis, nobody wants to dig through their phone for a phone number.
And yes, having 988 on speed dial is great, but have a safety plan.
(12:38):
Like who am I going to call in this situation?
You know, make sure you have your emergency contacts on there.
Make sure you have, you know, maybe you need the pharmacy things like that, but create
a safety plan and have it handy because it helps you.
Helps in the moment, right?
For me, like I need something tangible in my hand when I'm going through crisis.
(12:58):
Having my safety plan helps me.
We have all the emergency numbers written down.
We have the things that we need at that moment, but you know, it's something that can evolve.
And my own personal experience with 988 and Stan, that lady saved my life that day.
Literally saved my life.
Calm, passionate, patron, let me get through my shit, give me the resources I needed.
(13:21):
And not 20, 25 minutes after that phone call, I was on the phone making an appointment for
therapy.
I'm literally alive today because of that number.
And I don't, I can't even fathom what would have happened if I hadn't had that number.
So my plea to everyone is please put that phone number in your phone because you may not
(13:43):
meet it, but maybe you have a friend or a coworker or a loved one that does meet that number.
And just remember you're enough, you know, the world needs you.
You make the world a better place by just being in here.
You may not think it at that very moment, but you are enough.
And I can't harp enough and I'm trying not to harp on the importance of these crisis
(14:09):
lines.
And it's at the beginning of the year, the call volume to the crisis lines has seen us
a very horrific increase in calls, but there's people after they are trained that really
want to help.
And they may not be able to answer all your questions, but they can at least point you
in the right direction so you can get the help that you need.
(14:31):
Struggling with your mental health, feeling lost, overwhelmed or just alone, well, you're
not.
Welcome to the help hub.
Your online destination for mental health resources, content and tools to help you navigate
whatever mental health challenges you are facing in the moment.
At the help hub, we offer individualized resources tailored to your unique needs and community,
(14:53):
with over 16 different categories to find exactly the kind of personalized help you need
when you need it most.
Because even though we all deal with many of the same challenges, we don't always experience
those challenges the same way.
So whether you're looking for crisis support, downloadable resources or an extensive archive
of mental health-related articles and videos we've got you.
(15:16):
From episodes of the Survivors podcast for suicide law survivors, and lived experience
blogs to interactive tools and professional connections, the help hub needs you where you
are and helps you move forward with strength and support.
Remember, you don't have to do this alone.
Visit thehelphub.co today.
Yeah.
(15:37):
Yeah, that's such a powerful statement.
Like I, first of all, I'm just so grateful that you picked up the phone and you called in
that moment.
Selfishly, I'm grateful because you're here and we're doing beautiful things together
and you're one of the most important people now in my world.
And, you know, you talk about making an impact and you talk about adding value to the world.
(15:59):
The value that you add to the world and to my world is immeasurable.
And I'm just so grateful that you picked up the phone that day.
And I think it's so important for people to get that perspective, like what you were going
through and what you did and how you navigated that situation and kind of like the after.
Like what happened after?
What it did for you?
How it deescalated you?
(16:20):
How it gave you some clarity?
How it helped you to find the next step, which was to call your therapist and then to put
a plan in place.
I think also what might be useful for us to talk about is what is it like?
Like, you know, you just spoke about it from the perspective of the person calling and what
your experience was the way I can speak to it.
(16:42):
And this is the beauty of this podcast because we're two different kinds of survivors with
two different kinds of perspectives.
And I'm also on lifeline.
So I also have that perspective.
So I think it's important to let people know like here's what happens when you call a
lifeline.
Here's what to expect because a lot of people are terrified.
You said you were.
You weren't sure.
It was the first time.
(17:02):
It was the first time you'd ever done that.
You didn't know what you were getting into.
You didn't know what you'd have to say or what you'd have to do.
And that's a nerve.
You're already dealing with all these heightened emotions and you're already, you know, you're
already so emotionally fragile.
So here's what happens.
And I'm going to give you this scenario based on my experience as a Trevor project crisis
(17:25):
counselor.
When someone calls, first and foremost, my job, our job is not to solve your problem.
Every single one of us wishes that that was our job.
It's not our job.
It's not our job because at the end of the day, we all have to take responsibility for ourselves.
We all have to make sure that we can navigate through our situations and find the help that
(17:47):
we need.
So we are there to support.
We're there to validate.
We're there to listen.
One of the most important things that we do on the crisis lifelines, we hold space.
We listen.
We're going to let you know that you're not alone.
We're going to let you know that you are absolutely valid in your feelings or valid, your experiences
are valid.
So what we're going to do when we start talking to you is try to create a rapport.
(18:12):
We want to create a relationship.
We want to create an environment where you feel seen and heard and supported and safe.
So that's like priority number one for anyone of us on a lifeline.
So even though I'm speaking from a Trevor project lifeline perspective, most of the lifelines,
(18:33):
I'm also a certified 98 crisis counselor.
They all function in the same way.
They're all very similar in terms of like approach and the things that we try to accomplish
during a call.
One of the things that we do next after we start building that rapport is the safety assessment.
Now that's a really standard protocol on any lifeline.
(18:54):
Like whether you're calling because you had a terrible breakup or you lost your job or
your dog died and you're grieving, like whatever it is, we need to know that you're safe.
We need to know that you're not going to harm yourself or harm anybody else.
So we're going to ask you some questions and they're going to be some pretty blunt questions
because at the end of the day, you have contacted a suicide and crisis hotline.
(19:19):
And so we need to make sure that you're safe.
So we're going to ask you direct questions like, are you thinking of killing yourself?
And those are the words we're going to use because those are the words we have to use because
we need you to know that it's okay to be honest with us about whether you do or don't
want to harm yourself.
The next thing we're going to ask you is, have you done anything today or in the last several
(19:39):
days to try and harm yourself?
We give you the opportunity to answer us and kind of think of it like a decision tree.
Like if you're looking for a visual, think of like you ask the question, the yes or no
question and depending on how the person answers, you go down one side.
If it's a yes answer, you go down another side.
If it's no answers, depending on how someone answers, that dictates what the next round
(20:01):
of questions are going to be.
And if someone, someone's on the phone with me and they say, yeah, actually, I am thinking
of, of harming myself and I did try to harm myself.
Well, okay, what did you do?
What, how did you try to harm yourself?
What, what did you use?
Do you have a plan in place?
And are you planning on executing this plan?
Like is it, is it today?
(20:21):
Tomorrow is it next month or next year?
And we're evaluating, we're figuring out, we're kind of ranking where you're at, depending
on what you say.
Like, if you say you want to harm yourself today within 24 hours, well, that's considered
imminent risk.
So we're going to handle that pretty differently.
If you're saying, well, next week, I'm going to do something next week.
Okay, that's, that's a different sense of urgency.
(20:42):
That's a high risk.
You know, if you don't have a plan in place, you don't have the means in place.
You haven't identified any of those things.
Well, we're going to consider that a low or a medium risk call.
So the calls will be gauged appropriately.
And then we're really going to start talking like, okay, what brought you to this point?
What happened?
Because it's usually never one thing, right?
(21:04):
It's like, no, 1000 things.
And one of them just happens to kind of tip the scale.
So we'll talk about that.
And then we'll talk about, we'll ask you, what's your support system look like?
Who do you have to lean on?
Like when you feel the way that you're feeling, when you feel dysregulated like this, what
do you do?
Like what have you done in the past that kind of calms you down or kind of shifts your,
(21:27):
your energy.
And, and we'll talk about those things.
And, and we'll kind of pick out the important bits of those conversations as we try to put
together a safety plan of like, okay, how do I keep you safe in this moment?
Number one, and how do I keep you safe after you hang up the phone with me?
Maybe it's call your therapist.
Maybe it's talk to your partner.
Maybe it's talk to a parent.
(21:48):
Maybe it's reach out and find a therapist.
Maybe it's, you know, a voluntary intervention where someone like knows that they're, they're
not going to be able to trust themselves.
And maybe I help them feel confident reaching out to a doctor or admitting themselves to
a hospital for evaluation to protect themselves.
(22:08):
So there are all sorts of different outcomes that happen from a conversation like that.
But the bottom line is whatever reason you have for calling someone that's on a crisis
lifeline, you're going to get supported.
You are going to be validated.
No one is going to be judging you.
And to the best of our abilities, we are going to give you the help and support that we have
(22:32):
within our means to make sure that you can get through this, this moment.
And that's, that's how it goes.
And I can attest to that 1000%.
You know, by the time I got off the call, I had it within me to, you know, contact a therapist.
I got downstairs and talked to my wife.
(22:54):
You know, she had no idea how depressed I was.
As an extrovert, I did a really good job.
And okay, not something I should be proud of.
But I did a really good job of hiding my depression.
And then the very next day I started sharing my story, sharing my journey on social media.
Because as terrified as I was, I knew that my friends and family and other people would
(23:17):
be just as terrified.
Because I had no idea, you know, and I'm so thankful for 988.
And I will scream that number from the top of every building in every corner of the country.
Because I need people to realize that it's there.
And, you know, it's not publicized enough.
So it's out to podcasts by guards and also shit that goes on our heads to let people know
(23:40):
that number is available.
You know, it saves lives every day.
It does.
And there's no barrier, which is the most beautiful thing.
You know, we've alluded to this, talked about this in the past many times, that there are
so many people out there in the world who just are alone.
They just, they don't have a community, they don't have a support system, maybe they don't
(24:05):
have insurance coverage that allows them to get professional help.
And so sometimes the difference, and I need to put it in these terms.
Sometimes it's the difference between life and death to have a resource like the 988 crisis
lifeline or the Trevor project or the crisis text line to have these resources that are
(24:27):
there regardless of whatever other kinds of support you have or maybe don't have in your
life.
Those are available and they're free and there are things that every single one of us should
be taking advantage of and sharing and publicizing and, you know, tattooing on our foreheads
kind of thing.
(24:47):
You know what I mean?
Because it really can be the difference between someone's life or death.
So true.
You know, white text red.
But in that moment, I wasn't sure what to do and my fingers were trembling when I made
that phone call.
It was, it felt like the time when I hit the deer, right?
(25:10):
Like my fingers were trembling.
But I knew I needed to make that call because there was still that glimmer.
There was that glimmer of hope that things were going to be okay.
I just needed to talk to somebody and they helped me find my foot.
They only find my voice because for months, I couldn't find my own voice.
I had that voice in the back of my head, but nobody saw that.
(25:31):
Nobody heard that and they gave me an outlet and that's exactly what I needed.
I needed an outlet where I felt safe and I've never felt more safe.
We're very lucky that this kind of a resource exists and I think it's our collective responsibility.
Anyone, anyone with a heartbeat.
I don't care what community you're part of.
(25:55):
If you're part of the mental health community or not, every one of us needs to be promoting
that this resource exists because that's how we ensure that people feel supported.
It's a scary, scary, it's scary enough to deal with so many of the things that we all deal
(26:15):
with silently.
Like you talk about being an extrovert and being in that grouping of people who is affected
by mental illness and doesn't talk about it.
It's scary enough to be in that headspace, let alone trying to figure out how to reach
out for help.
This is a no-brainer.
It's an absolute no-brainer and I love the fact that this month in the month of May, we
(26:38):
get to hype it and hype it and promote it every time we get behind the mic.
That was our message.
That's our message today.
If you take nothing else away from this particular conversation, know that you are never alone.
Sure.
Help is out there and it's three digits away.
It's just 988 and someone will always be there to help.
(27:01):
Thank you so much Lisa.
This was such a great episode and I'm looking forward to talking to you next week.
I am too.
I just don't know why you're calling me by my name.
You never call me by my name.
Okay, sugar.
Okay, and it feels better.
All right.
Okay.
Thanks for joining us on the survivors.
Remember, no matter how tough things feel, you are in up and the world needs you just the
(27:24):
way you are.
You're not alone in this journey.
There's a community here and every step forward counts.
We're so grateful you took the time to listen and we hope you'll take one day at a time.
Just know there's always more light ahead.
Thanks for being here friends.
Just remember, help is out there in so many different places.
So if you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 and a trained crisis counselor
(27:47):
like me will be there to help.
You can also find an inclusive and comprehensive directory of mental health resources, tools,
and content at thehelphub.co.
Just remember that help is always just a call or a click away.
We'll catch you next week.
In the meantime, keep surviving.
[BLANK_AUDIO]
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