Ryan Leavitt: 988—An Effort to Prevent Suicide

Ryan Leavitt doesn’t know if the new 988 lifeline would’ve made a difference for his sister-in-law Lizzie, whose long battle with mental illness ultimately took her life in 2014. But when Leavitt was given the opportunity to work on the legislation that ultimately led to the new easy-to-remember hotline, he viewed it as a way to not only honor Lizzie’s life but also to hopefully preserve the lives of so many who face the heartbreaking realities of suicidal thoughts. On this week’s episode, Leavitt discusses the hope that comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ, not only through the resurrection but also as we each seek to do all we can to “lift up the heads that hang down.” Show Notes 2:54- What You May Not Know About Congress 11:39- 988 Legislation 15:46- Lizzie 21:30- The Years Since 25:44- No One Size Fits All Approach 28:41- #SmileForLizzie 33:40- Great Expectations  37:02- A Societal Problem 39:32- Gratitude 42:45- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  “It’s for us to be engaged in meaningful work to help those around us.” —Ryan Leavitt Links 988 Lifeline Silent Souls Weeping by Jane Clayson Johnson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.