John Draper, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

With over three decades of dedicated experience in crisis intervention and suicide prevention, I am recognized as an international expert in behavioral health crisis services, encompassing call center, online chat, and text services. My journey began as a psychologist directing a Brooklyn-based mobile crisis team for seven years, setting the foundation for my extensive career. In 1996, I joined the Mental Health Association of NYC (now Vibrant Emotional Health) to spearhead the launch of New York City's inaugural 24-7 crisis hotline, the award-winning LifeNet. As the Director of LifeNet, I played a pivotal role in our participation in the first SAMHSA-funded evaluation that showcased the effectiveness of crisis hotlines. Post-9/11, I led our crisis service, which became central to the largest disaster mental health recovery program in U.S. history. In 2004, I took on the responsibility of developing and operating the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, serving as its Executive Director through the historic launch of 988 in July 2022—the new 3-digit number for the “Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.” As Vibrant's Executive Vice President of National Crisis Networks, I led a dynamic team in establishing and managing the SAMHSA-funded Disaster Distress Helpline (since 2011), the National Football League (NFL) Life Line (since 2012), and collaborated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the administration of the national Veterans Crisis Line (since 2007). In October 2022, I embarked on a new chapter by joining Behavioral Health Link, Inc. (BHL), a national leader in crisis services. As BHL's President of Research and Development, I am committed to leveraging my extensive background in applying research, data, and technologies to enhance the quality of crisis care in communities, both locally and nationally. My passion lies in making a meaningful impact on crisis services and improving the well-being of not only individuals, but the mental health sector.