On Tuesday, September 25th, Vibrant Emotional Health, in conjunction with the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, hosted its first in-person Congressional Briefing at Rayburn House Office Building, a lunch-and-learn entitled, From Crisis to Care: The Impact of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in Supporting Individuals in Crisis.

Panelists included:

Dr. Tia Dole, Chief 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Officer, Vibrant Emotional Health

Johnathan Davis, LPC, NCC, Chief Executive Officer, Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc.

Quinita Garrett, LCPC, NCC, Call Center & System Coordination Director, Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc.

Tonja Myles, Community Engagement Advisor, Huntsman Mental Health Foundation

Throughout the lunch-and-learn, attended by over 40 Congressional staffers, Mental Health partners, and other stakeholders in the mental health community, the panelists shared how Congress's investment in the Lifeline has saved lives and answered questions posed by audience members. Two virtual greetings were shown from Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, and Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA), who was instrumental in the creation of the three-digit 988 Lifeline number, which was launched in July 2023. Both Congressional representatives praised the 988 Lifeline for the increased impact during the first year of its use and emphasized the work still needing to be done to destigmatize mental illness and bring awareness and resources to those impacted by it.