September 8, 2025 • 6 mins
Hannah Wesolowski of #NAMI discusses #988Day and the work of the #988SuicideandCrisisLifeline with Cyrus Webb on Conversations LIVE.
Find out more information at www.nami.org/988
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cyrus-webb-s-tracks--1422267/support.
Find out more information at www.nami.org/988
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cyrus-webb-s-tracks--1422267/support.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello everyone, and welcome back to Conversations Live. I'm your
(00:02):
host service webs so glad you guys could join us
once again for a radio audience tuning in at Max
WYAD ninety four point one FM and Wyad online dot com.
We're glad that you all can be with us. Also
just showing its online worldwide DAR podcast that I heard
radio on Amazon Music. We're glad you all could be
with us as well. What I've been telling you guys,
September is recognized as suicide Prevention Month. As you guys know,
(00:22):
I'm as suicide attempt survivor and I always try to
use this opportunity to be able to not only talk
about the importance of resources, but also how you know
you're not alone.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
That's what I'm really excited about.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Today's segment today is nine to eighty eight Day. It's
a national initiative on September the eighth the raise awareness
about the ninety eight Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you're
just now finding out about it, it really is an
important resource that can help individuals. But there was a
recent poll that was done by the National Alliance on
Mental Illness that kind of talk about some of the
(00:52):
challenges that may be there and also improvements that can
be made. That's why we're excited to welcome Hannah was
Alowski to our broadcast today. She's joined us from the
National Alliance on Mental Illness to tell us more information
about the work they're doing and how you all can
be able to find out more yourself. Hannah, thank you
so much for the time.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Thank you so much for having me so.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Hannah, this is an important topic, as I mentioned, because
it is suicide Prevention Month, and of the course today
we're having this conversation a nine to eight eight day
talk to us about what it's been like for you
to see the impact that the ninety eight eight Suicide
and Crisis Lifeline has made in the lives of others.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
You know, ninety eight has been available since twenty twenty two,
and since that time, more than seventeen million Americans have
reached out for help. And having something that is easy
to remember just three digits nine to eight eight makes
such an enormous difference for people to feel like someone
can listen to them, that someone is there when they
(01:48):
are struggling, often on one of the most difficult days
of their lives. You know, ninety eight offers compassionate help anytime, anywhere.
It's available twenty four to seven. It's anonymous, it's free,
an amazing resource if you're struggling, but it's also a
resource if somebody else is struggling. And you know, I
think this helps open up the conversation about mental health
(02:09):
and suicide. So if you know somebody in your life
that you're worried about, you can also call ninety eight
to get support and help and guidance on how best
to assist the person in your life.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
So I mentioned there's a recent polla that was done
by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Hannah, what can
you tell us about it and what people are feeling,
especially when it comes to improvements that can be made
to mental health care.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah. So, what we found is that not nearly enough
people know about nine eight eight. Only about one in
four people are familiar with ninety eight eight. But more
than that, most people aren't satisfied with the state of
mental health care in this country. People don't believe that
the help that they need is easy to find, and
the data bears that out. So many people aren't able
(02:56):
to find mental health support quickly and effectively. And you know,
I think as we hear from so many Americans that
it's just not something that's accessible for them. And in
this time of a mental health and suicide crisis, it's
a real struggle for people. We have a lot of
work to do as a nation.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Yeah, and are you finding I mean, especially because there's
so much conversation going on now Hannah about funding federal
funding in particular, are there any challenges that are there
or things that you're seeing that that people are concerned
about when it comes to money for programs like this.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Certainly it's a time of you know, tightening our belts
in terms of budgets. But I will say this, ninety
eighty eight is an area of bipartisan support. The federal
government has funded it at high levels and has proposed
to continue funding it at a high level. So ninety
eight is strong and it's here to stay. And you know,
(03:54):
I want everyone listening to know it's not going anywhere.
This is something that everyone believes is important and supports
on both sides of the political aisle, which is very
unique in this day and age. And you know, because
people see that it's saving lives. It's really making a
difference when people need that help.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
So talk to us about the recognition of nine eight
eight day, Hannah, what do you hope that people, especially
today realize about not only the work that is being
done with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, but also the
importance of spreading the word.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
This is a great opportunity to let everyone in your
life know about nine eight eight. As I mentioned, only
about one in four Americans are truly familiar with what
nine eight eight is. And what I often hear from people,
what's serious enough? What is enough of a crisis to
call nine eight eight. I don't want to take away
resources for someone else. If you're struggling, that's enough. There
(04:48):
is no level of what type of crisis it needs
to be. If you need help, if you need a supportive,
compassionate year, nine eight eight is available for you. And
so we just want everyone to realize that this resource
is available and to make sure you're spreading it with
your family, your friends, your kids, your neighbors, your coworkers,
(05:09):
and letting them know. You never know who's struggling, and
sharing the information about the nine eight eight Suicide and
Crisis Lifeline may make all the difference.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
I totally agree again everyone.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Hannah Wessilevski has been our guest who's joining us from
the National Alliance on Mental Illness here on nine eight
eight day again a national initiative today to raise awareness
about the nine eight eight suicide and Crisis Lifeline. So, Hannah,
for our audience out there, where can they go to
find out more information not only about the initiative but
also about the work that you do.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Yes, thank you for asking and encouraged folks to go
to NAMI dot org. That's NAMI dorg slash nine eight
eight and you can get lots of information and resources.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
And again really appreciate the great work you all are
doing there and looking forward to chatting with you again.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Yes, me too, Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Glad to do.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
It, and we think your audience are tuning in to
another great segment of Conversations Live. Until next time.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
I'm your host.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Sewers website is always enjoy.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Your day, enjury, your life, injury your world.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Thank you all for tusing Conversations Live.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Then it's going to make today amazing. Take care
Hello everyone, and welcome back to Conversations Live. I'm your
(00:02):
host service webs so glad you guys could join us
once again for a radio audience tuning in at Max
WYAD ninety four point one FM and Wyad online dot com.
We're glad that you all can be with us. Also
just showing its online worldwide DAR podcast that I heard
radio on Amazon Music. We're glad you all could be
with us as well. What I've been telling you guys,
September is recognized as suicide Prevention Month. As you guys know,
(00:22):
I'm as suicide attempt survivor and I always try to
use this opportunity to be able to not only talk
about the importance of resources, but also how you know
you're not alone.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
That's what I'm really excited about.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Today's segment today is nine to eighty eight Day. It's
a national initiative on September the eighth the raise awareness
about the ninety eight Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you're
just now finding out about it, it really is an
important resource that can help individuals. But there was a
recent poll that was done by the National Alliance on
Mental Illness that kind of talk about some of the
(00:52):
challenges that may be there and also improvements that can
be made. That's why we're excited to welcome Hannah was
Alowski to our broadcast today. She's joined us from the
National Alliance on Mental Illness to tell us more information
about the work they're doing and how you all can
be able to find out more yourself. Hannah, thank you
so much for the time.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Thank you so much for having me so.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Hannah, this is an important topic, as I mentioned, because
it is suicide Prevention Month, and of the course today
we're having this conversation a nine to eight eight day
talk to us about what it's been like for you
to see the impact that the ninety eight eight Suicide
and Crisis Lifeline has made in the lives of others.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
You know, ninety eight has been available since twenty twenty two,
and since that time, more than seventeen million Americans have
reached out for help. And having something that is easy
to remember just three digits nine to eight eight makes
such an enormous difference for people to feel like someone
can listen to them, that someone is there when they
(01:48):
are struggling, often on one of the most difficult days
of their lives. You know, ninety eight offers compassionate help anytime, anywhere.
It's available twenty four to seven. It's anonymous, it's free,
an amazing resource if you're struggling, but it's also a
resource if somebody else is struggling. And you know, I
think this helps open up the conversation about mental health
(02:09):
and suicide. So if you know somebody in your life
that you're worried about, you can also call ninety eight
to get support and help and guidance on how best
to assist the person in your life.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
So I mentioned there's a recent polla that was done
by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Hannah, what can
you tell us about it and what people are feeling,
especially when it comes to improvements that can be made
to mental health care.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah. So, what we found is that not nearly enough
people know about nine eight eight. Only about one in
four people are familiar with ninety eight eight. But more
than that, most people aren't satisfied with the state of
mental health care in this country. People don't believe that
the help that they need is easy to find, and
the data bears that out. So many people aren't able
(02:56):
to find mental health support quickly and effectively. And you know,
I think as we hear from so many Americans that
it's just not something that's accessible for them. And in
this time of a mental health and suicide crisis, it's
a real struggle for people. We have a lot of
work to do as a nation.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Yeah, and are you finding I mean, especially because there's
so much conversation going on now Hannah about funding federal
funding in particular, are there any challenges that are there
or things that you're seeing that that people are concerned
about when it comes to money for programs like this.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Certainly it's a time of you know, tightening our belts
in terms of budgets. But I will say this, ninety
eighty eight is an area of bipartisan support. The federal
government has funded it at high levels and has proposed
to continue funding it at a high level. So ninety
eight is strong and it's here to stay. And you know,
(03:54):
I want everyone listening to know it's not going anywhere.
This is something that everyone believes is important and supports
on both sides of the political aisle, which is very
unique in this day and age. And you know, because
people see that it's saving lives. It's really making a
difference when people need that help.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
So talk to us about the recognition of nine eight
eight day, Hannah, what do you hope that people, especially
today realize about not only the work that is being
done with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, but also the
importance of spreading the word.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
This is a great opportunity to let everyone in your
life know about nine eight eight. As I mentioned, only
about one in four Americans are truly familiar with what
nine eight eight is. And what I often hear from people,
what's serious enough? What is enough of a crisis to
call nine eight eight. I don't want to take away
resources for someone else. If you're struggling, that's enough. There
(04:48):
is no level of what type of crisis it needs
to be. If you need help, if you need a supportive,
compassionate year, nine eight eight is available for you. And
so we just want everyone to realize that this resource
is available and to make sure you're spreading it with
your family, your friends, your kids, your neighbors, your coworkers,
(05:09):
and letting them know. You never know who's struggling, and
sharing the information about the nine eight eight Suicide and
Crisis Lifeline may make all the difference.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
I totally agree again everyone.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Hannah Wessilevski has been our guest who's joining us from
the National Alliance on Mental Illness here on nine eight
eight day again a national initiative today to raise awareness
about the nine eight eight suicide and Crisis Lifeline. So, Hannah,
for our audience out there, where can they go to
find out more information not only about the initiative but
also about the work that you do.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Yes, thank you for asking and encouraged folks to go
to NAMI dot org. That's NAMI dorg slash nine eight
eight and you can get lots of information and resources.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
And again really appreciate the great work you all are
doing there and looking forward to chatting with you again.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Yes, me too, Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Glad to do.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
It, and we think your audience are tuning in to
another great segment of Conversations Live. Until next time.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
I'm your host.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Sewers website is always enjoy.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Your day, enjury, your life, injury your world.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Thank you all for tusing Conversations Live.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Then it's going to make today amazing. Take care
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