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In this episode, David Covington and John Draper engage with Representative Steve Eliason, a key figure in mental health legislation and suicide prevention in Utah. They discuss Eliason's journey from CPA to state representative, his pivotal role in establishing the 988 crisis hotline, and the innovative mental health initiatives he has championed, particularly in schools. 

About our guest: Rep. Steve Eliason is a US Representative for Utha. When the opportunity to run for the House of Representatives arose, Steve decided to run.  Steve has passed over 100 bills during his tenure in the Legislature on topics ranging from election reform, public safety, education, public health, tax reform and has passed over two dozen bills relating to suicide prevention and improving the lives of people suffering from a mental illness. He has been consistently ranked as one of the top five most effective lawmakers in Utah.  Read more at https://house.utleg.gov/rep/ELIASS/

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In this episode, David Covington and John Draper discuss the impact of crisis intervention teams (CIT) on mental health and law enforcement, featuring Major Sam Cochran, a pioneer in the CIT model. They explore  the importance of community involvement and creating a mental health community where CIT-trained law enforcement officers work with community providers, leaders, and families to advocate for mental health crisis care. 

About our Guest: Major Sam Cochran (ret.) is nationally known for his work developing the CIT model. He was the Coordinator of the Memphis Police Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) which started in 1988 from an outpouring of community partnerships. He retired from the Memphis Police Department after 33 years of service which include numerous assignments including Coordinator of the Memphis Hostage Negotiation Team. Major Cochran is passionately engaged in many services promoting CIT as a community program – more than just training. https://www.citinternational.org/page-18247 

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David and John celebrate the new year, a new season, and chat with Preston Looper about the evolution of crisis care, and the importance of innovative technologies in mental health services. They emphasizes the significance of collaboration and technology in improving crisis response systems. The discussion also touches on the optimism surrounding the future of mobile crisis services and the potential for improved outcomes through collaboration and evidence-based practices.

About our Guest: Preston Looper is a leading expert in mobile crisis team operations with 35 years of experience in behavioral health, serving as both a clinician and executive while developing innovative crisis care platforms and technologies. Through his company Full Tilt Strategies LLC, he now provides consultation and training for various crisis response services, building upon his extensive experience leading Adapt Community Solutions and serving as Chief of Clinical Innovation at Harris Logic. https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonlooperfulltiltfounder/ 

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About the Lifelines Podcast: The 988 Podcast offers an engaging format and informative content; it simplifies staying informed about crucial behavioral health topics. Discover more about 988 to enhance behavioral health care with David and John: The 988 Podcast by visiting https://behavioralhealthlink.com/bhlpodcast 

About Us: Behavioral Health Link is committed to supporting behavioral health professionals. Visit us at https://behavioralhealthlink.com/ to learn more about the BHL Platform and how it supports our vision to ensure everyone in a crisis gets care when and where they need it.

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David and John are joined by Monica Johnson. They discuss the evolution of crisis care, focusing on the introduction of the 988 Lifeline, transforming crisis support. They highlight the importance of awareness, community involvement, and the ongoing challenges in mental health care, emphasizing the need for patience and sustained effort in creating effective systems. They explore the importance of federal and state collaboration in enhancing crisis care, the challenges of leadership in this field, and the critical need for dignity in crisis response. 

About our Guest: Monica Johnson, M.A., LPC, is the Director of the 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office at SAMHSA, with 26 years of experience in behavioral health leadership. A seasoned executive with a track record of managing large budgets and implementing critical mental health initiatives, she previously served as Interim Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities. https://www.samhsa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/leadership/biographies/monica-johnson 

Link to Monica’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Fab-30-Critical-Leadership-Lessons/dp/1086762843 

Have you found the Lifelines Podcast with David and John helpful? Share your experience with us! 

About the Lifelines Podcast: The 988 Podcast offers an engaging format and informative content; it simplifies staying informed about crucial behavioral health topics. Discover more about 988 to enhance behavioral health care with David and John: The 988 Podcast by visiting https://behavioralhealthlink.com/bhlpodcast/ 

About Us: Behavioral Health Link is committed to supporting behavioral health professionals. Visit us at https://behavioralhealthlink.com/ to learn more about the BHL Platform and how it supports our vision to ensure everyone in a crisis gets care when and where they need it.

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In this episode, the Lifelines Podcast hosts David Covington and John Draper engage with Detective Sabrina Taylor, a leading expert in crisis intervention and behavioral health. They discuss the importance of Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), community partnerships, and the challenges faced by law enforcement in handling mental health crises. Sabrina shares her journey in law enforcement, the evolution of CIT, and the impact of the 988 crisis hotline. The conversation emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to crisis response, integrating behavioral health resources with law enforcement to improve outcomes for individuals in crisis.

About Our Guest: Sabrina Taylor is a CIT Coordinator & Detective for the City of Phoenix in Arizona. She says, "As with most people in this line or work, it's personal. I have several close family members with chronic mental disabilities and have experienced the inequities that plague health care first hand it makes me even more determined to do whatever I can to address them." https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinataylorcit/ 

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In this episode, David and John meet with Dr. Ursula Whiteside, who discusses her work in mental health, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention, highlighting the importance of lived experience and community support. She reflects on the impact of Marsha Linehan's Dialectical Behavior Therapy and her own project Now Matters Now, emphasizing storytelling, validation, and accessible mental health resources.

About Our Guest: Dr. Ursula Whiteside is a clinical psychologist and researcher known for her work on suicide prevention, digital mental health interventions, and psychological assessment techniques.
https://www.ursulawhiteside.org/about

Have you found the Lifelines Podcast with David and John helpful? Share your experience with us! 

About the Lifelines Podcast: The 988 Podcast offers an engaging format and informative content; it simplifies staying informed about crucial behavioral health topics. Discover more about 988 to enhance behavioral health care with David and John: The 988 Podcast by visiting https://behavioralhealthlink.com/bhlpodcast/ 

About Us: Behavioral Health Link is committed to supporting behavioral health professionals. Visit us at https://behavioralhealthlink.com/ to learn more about the BHL Platform and how it supports our vision to ensure everyone in a crisis gets care when and where they need it.

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In this episode of Lifelines, hosts David Covington and John Draper engage with Erica Chestnut-Ramirez, a key figure in Arizona's crisis care landscape. They discuss Thanksgiving traditions, the evolution of crisis services in Arizona, and the importance of collaboration and technology in providing effective support. Erica shares her journey into crisis services, the challenges faced in mobile crisis scenarios, and the significance of connecting with individuals in their natural environments. The conversation emphasizes the need for ongoing care and the role of community support in mental health services.

About Our Guest: Erica Chestnut Ramirez is the Regional Vice President for La Frontera / EMPACT Arizona, where she has worked on mobile crisis teams and overseeing the operations for the past 17 years.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-chestnut-ramirez-61061717/

Have you found the Lifelines Podcast with David and John helpful? Share your experience with us! 

About the Lifelines Podcast: The 988 Podcast offers an engaging format and informative content; it simplifies staying informed about crucial behavioral health topics. Discover more about 988 to enhance behavioral health care with David and John: The 988 Podcast by visiting https://behavioralhealthlink.com/bhlpodcast/ 

About Us: Behavioral Health Link is committed to supporting behavioral health professionals. Visit us at https://behavioralhealthlink.com/ to learn more about the BHL Platform and how it supports our vision to ensure everyone in a crisis gets care when and where they need it.

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In this episode of Lifelines, the conversation revolves around the evolution of crisis care, particularly focusing on the 988 crisis line and its impact on mental health services. Justin Chase, a key figure in the crisis care landscape, shares insights on the importance of community partnerships, the decriminalization of suicide, and the need for innovative approaches in behavioral health. 

About Our Guest: Justin Chase is the Chief Executive Officer at Solari Crisis & Human Services, a nonprofit that provides crisis and human service programs and contact centers in Arizona, Oklahoma, and Colorado.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnchase/

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In this episode, the hosts discuss the importance of lived experience in crisis intervention and the cultural aspects of suicide prevention, particularly in Native American communities. Shelby Rowe shares her personal journey, the significance of storytelling in mental health advocacy, and innovative approaches to crisis care that emphasize compassion and understanding. She shares the importance of cultural revitalization and crisis support for Native communities, highlighting initiatives like the Native and Strong Lifeline in Washington. The discussion culminates in the transformative philosophy of treating individuals in crisis as guests rather than patients, fostering a sense of belonging and respect.

About Our Guest: Shelby Rowe is the executive director of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where she leverages her 15+ years of leadership experience in suicide prevention across local, tribal, state, and national levels. An award-winning artist, suicide attempt survivor, and mother of three, she serves on multiple national and international suicide prevention committees and holds degrees in sociology, philosophy, and business administration.
https://sprc.org/sprc-executive-director-shelby-rowe/

Have you found the Lifelines Podcast with David and John helpful? Share your experience with us! 

About the Lifelines Podcast: The 988 Podcast offers an engaging format and informative content; it simplifies staying informed about crucial behavioral health topics. Discover more about 988 to enhance behavioral health care with David and John: The 988 Podcast by visiting https://behavioralhealthlink.com/bhlpodcast/ 

About Us: Behavioral Health Link is committed to supporting behavioral health professionals. Visit us at https://behavioralhealthlink.com/ to learn more about the BHL Platform and how it supports our vision to ensure everyone in a crisis gets care when and where they need it.

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In this episode of Lifelines, the hosts discuss the critical role of mobile crisis response in behavioral health, featuring insights from Megan Gleason, director of BHL's Mobile Crisis Program. The conversation covers the importance of safety, teamwork, and the integration of services for individuals with mental health challenges, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

About Our Guest: Megan is a driven and passionate Behavioral Health Leader with over a decade of dedicated experience in developing and spearheading transformative Mobile Crisis response programs. She has played a pivotal role in expanding BHL’s program from its inception, overseeing its growth from a team of 10 to over 70 staff members, ensuring round-the-clock response capabilities, 365 days a year. https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-gleason-lcsw/

About Us: Behavioral Health Link is committed to supporting behavioral health professionals. Visit us at https://behavioralhealthlink.com/ to learn more about the BHL Platform and how it supports our vision to ensure everyone in a crisis gets care when and where they need it.

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