The Most Important Number In The World

It's on the sides of buses, in The New York Times, and on Jeopardy, but if you don't know what this number is, listen to this episode. Then, help share it with everyone, especially the kids in your life. The number is 988, which is the long-awaited rebranding of the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline... which isn't just for people in crisis. That's the easy part; the hard part is getting up the courage, energy, or trust to call or text, which is why host Jordan Friedman talks with 988's Deputy Director John Palmieri about what the number really is, who it's for, and how to let everyone know it exists. After the conversation, take a well-deserved instant vacation by a stream.

About Guest John Palmieri, M.D.

John Palmieri, M.D., M.H.A., is a Senior Medical Advisor at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is currently serving as the Deputy Director of the 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office within the Office of the Assistant Secretary. He provides subject matter expertise and policy leadership in areas that include crisis response, suicide prevention and interventions, care integration, telehealth implementation and criminal justice diversion programs.

Before joining SAMHSA, Dr. Palmieri was the Division Chief for Behavioral Healthcare at the Arlington County, VA, Department of Human Services. In that role, he led the implementation of the Zero Suicide framework, expanded programming to transform the crisis response system, enhanced primary care integration and wellness services, and oversaw the launch of a multi-stakeholder community response to the opioid crisis. Dr. Palmieri is a licensed physician in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is board-certified in adult psychiatry.

He graduated from Brown University Medical School and completed his adult psychiatry residency at Massachusetts General Hospital.

 

Related Links

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat (988lifeline.org)

988 Partner Toolkit (for promoting 988)

Logic's Video for his song 1-800-273-8355

 

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About Host Jordan Friedman

Jordan is known as The Stress Coach, a career path that likely started when one of the world’s largest brain tumors was discovered in his head at age 10. The resulting, nonstop stress continued through college until he reluctantly enrolled in a stress management class that led to much less stress, a degree in public health, a job as Columbia University’s health education director and now a career as a global stress management speaker, trainer and auth