Once viciously accused by SAMHSA of “Dragging the agency, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century,” Christopher Vu Gandin Le’s impact on the suicide prevention and mental health landscape cannot be overstated.
With Godot and his own organization, Emotion Technology, this work ranges from being primary researchers, subject matter experts, consumer advisors, and, in many cases, the cornerstone and driver of the initiative.
With a 20-year career, it’s difficult to speak singularly about the work that Vu has done in the mental health and suicide prevention field. Self-described as “the Guy Fieri of mental health program design,” there isn’t much in the field that he hasn’t done. Described by others — perhaps more accurately — as “one of America’s most experienced suicide executives,” his work has forever changed the technology, the approach, and the resources that our society uses and relies on to mitigate self-harm.
In addition to the multitude of federal contracts and grants, this groundwork is at the heart of the safety and security protocols for Google, Facebook, Youtube, Tumblr and others in the corporate sphere.
In 2005, the “National Suicide Hotline” became part of the mental health lexicon and landscape of America.
In their own words, “The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We’re committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.”
Role: Technical director, policy, communications, infrastructure
Website: 988 Lifeline
Completed in 2020, this hotline was created by Dr. Anitra Warrior, a member of the Ponca Nation.
In their own words, “All Nations Crisis Hotline is a text based crisis hotline run by and for Native populations. As of now our services are within the Nebraska Tribes and we are staffed by members from the Ponca, Omaha, Lakota and Winnebago Tribes. The All Nations Hotline is thankful to announce that through the gracious financial support of the Omaha Nation, we have six agents who are dedicated to serving the Omaha Reservation.”
Role: Launch Director
Website: All Nations Hotline
In their own words, “Care doesn’t end when the conversation is over. Our responders can connect you with the resources you need. Launched in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line started with 14 trained responders working out of a call center in Canandaigua, N.Y. It’s grown to include an online chat and text service with 500 responders in three call center locations. Because many responders are Veterans, they’re familiar with the challenges Veterans face.”
Role: Communication, Production
Website: Veterans Crisis Hotline
Designed specifically to address the immediacy of need for support following sudden disaster, this program help support those effected by unforeseen catastrophe.
In their own words, “SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.”
Role: Branding, Marketing
Website: Disaster Distress Helpline