Press Kit
20-25% of Americans have a diagnosable mental and or/substance use disorder in any given year. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. As many as 10% of children experience serious emotional challenges. 15-20% of people in jails and prisons in the U.S. have a serious mental illness.
But we know that treatment works, and that healing and help are happening every day.
Vibrant administers nationally-recognized services including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Disaster Distress Helpline, the NFL Life Line, and NYC Well. Our programs provide hands-on services and resources to people affected by mental health concerns at all stages of life. Vibrant’s experts are available to provide information and interviews about our programs, policy issues, and news that impact the people we serve.
Contact Information
For general inquiries, write to info@vibrant.org
For press inquiries, contact Josephine Parr at jparr@vibrant.org or Frances Gonzalez at fgonzalez@vibrant.org
For social media, contact Ashley Vactor at avactor@vibrant.org
For media assets not listed below, contact Kelsey Rauber at krauber@vibrant.org
Media Assets
How To Talk About Mental Health Fact Sheet
Support for Suicidal Individuals on Social and Digital Media
*right click to save above images
Download Vibrant Emotional Health Logo (large)
Download National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Logo (large)
Kimberly Williams
President and CEO
Kimberly A. Williams is the President and CEO of the Vibrant Emotional Health, a nonprofit organization which reaches over 2.5 million people each year to help them achieve emotional well-being through high quality, innovative programs. She began as a public policy intern in 2003, rising to President and CEO in 2017. She has served the mental health industry through various positions, including mental health advocate, administrator, educator, and consultant.
Under her leadership, the 50+ year old organization rebranded to be better positioned for the future of mental health in our society and to communicate a positive vision for all who are impacted by mental health challenges. As CEO, Williams has overseen the expansion of Vibrant’s premier programs they administer, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Disaster Distress Helpline, and NYC Well, New York City’s leading edge, multi-lingual, multi-modal contact center program that responds around the clock to the mental health needs of over 300,000 New Yorkers every year.
Williams serves on a number of advisory committees and boards including the New York State Interagency Geriatric Mental Health and Chemical Dependence Planning Council, the New York State Health Foundation Community Advisory Committee, Mental Health News Education Inc., United Community Schools, and the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging, for whom she is immediate past chair. Her leadership in the field has been recognized by City and State New York, New York Nonprofit Media, Mental Health Association in New York State, and the National Association of Social Workers NYC Chapter. Williams has been an adjunct lecturer at Columbia University School of Social Work and NYU Silver School of Social Work. Her voice has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CBS Evening News, The Today Show and more.
Dr. John Draper
Director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Executive Vice President, National Networks
Dr. John Draper has nearly 30 years of experience in crisis intervention and suicide prevention work, and is considered an international expert in crisis contact center practices (hotline, online chat, text services, etc.). Since 2004, Dr. Draper has been the Executive Director of the SAMHSA-funded National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK), overseeing all aspects of this service—including its subnetwork, the Disaster Distress Helpline—and the Lifeline’s partnership with the VA in administering the Veteran’s Crisis Line. As an expert in crisis services, Dr. Draper has regularly engaged with print, broadcast and web-based media for over 20 years. Dr. Draper has been quoted in The New York Times, ABC News, The New York Post, and TIME among others.
Click here for Vibrant’s Media Mentions
Press Releases
-
January 25, 2021: Vibrant Emotional Health to Provide State Grants in Preparation for Future 988 Dialing Code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
-
March 3, 2020: Vibrant Emotional Health Launches “Safe Space,” a Digital Resource for People Seeking Emotional Support
-
December 18, 2019: Vibrant Emotional Health Receives Twilio Grant to Create Innovative Technology to Support People in Mental Health or Suicidal Crisis
-
October 9, 2019: Vibrant Emotional Health to Provide Additional Support for Local Call Centers of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
-
May 21, 2019: Vibrant Emotional Health’s 27thAnnual Gala Raises Over $600,000 To Transform Emotional Health Of Those In Need
-
May 13, 2019: Vibrant Emotional Health to Host 27th Annual Gala, “Share. Connect. Heal.” Evening Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Ashton Featuring a Performance by Gloria Reuben
-
March 25, 2019: Disaster Distress Helpline Available for Those Emotionally Affected by Mass Violence and Other Disasters
-
January 22, 2019: Vibrant Emotional Health and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families Awarded Three-Year Contract to Provide Mental Health Awareness Training to Veterans’ Service Provider Networks
-
August 1, 2018: Non-profit Disaster Psychiatry Outreach Joins Vibrant Emotional Health to Create Comprehensive Emotional Support Services in the Aftermath of Disasters
-
June 26, 2018: Vibrant Emotional Health’s 26th Annual Gala Honors Grammy-nominated Def Jam artist and Mental Health Advocate, Logic and Kevin J. Danehy, Global Head of Corporate Development at Brookfield
-
June 14, 2018: Mental Health Association of New York City becomes Vibrant Emotional Health and will build on their record of innovation to help people achieve emotional wellbeing
-
September 22, 2017: Disaster Distress Helpline Available for People Impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria
-
September 12, 2017: Disaster Distress Helpline Available for People Impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma
-
July 6, 2017: MHA-NYC Names Jennifer Ashley Board Chair and Promotes Kimberly Williams to CEO
-
June 14, 2017: MHA-NYC Receives 2017 Innovation in Programming Award From Mental Health America
-
June 8, 2017: Mental Health Association of NYC Raises $516,625 to Support Mental Health at 25th Annual Gala
-
June 5, 2017: MHA-NYC to Honor First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray at Annual Gala
-
May 10, 2017: MHA-NYC Gala Calls Upon Public to Start Talking Openly About Mental Health
-
April 28, 2017: Rap Artist Logic Releases Song “1-800-273-8255,” Highlights the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline as Resource
-
April 20, 2017: MHA-NYC Launches New Website
-
April 13, 2017: An Evening of Art Benefiting New York City’s Bronx Adolescent Skills Center
-
March 1, 2017: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Joins Facebook to Release New Suicide Prevention Tools
-
January 23, 2017: A National Mental Health Agenda
-
January 19, 2017: Inauguration Weekend, Support Is Available 24/7
-
January 12, 2017: The Truth Behind “Blue Monday” Viral Post
-
June 13, 2016: Disaster Distress Helpline Offering Support After Orlando Attacks
-
April 20, 2016: MHA-NYC and Beacon Health Options Awarded Three-Year Contract to Run NYC Support
-
April 20, 2016: Provider Chosen for NYC Support, Upcoming 24/7 Mental Health Hotline (Office of the Mayor’s Release)
-
April 14, 2016: MHA-NYC Gala Raises Funds in Support of the Many Faces of Mental Health
-
April 7, 2016: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Software Used By MHA-NYC Given Government’s Highest Rating
-
March 14, 2016: MHA-NYC to Honor Former U.S. Representative and National Mental Health Advocate Patrick J. Kennedy at Annual Gala
-
February 23, 2016: Mental Health Association of New York City Names Michael Rosen, Innovative Non-Profit Leader and Award-Winning TV News Producer as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications
-
October 15, 2014: The Mental Health Association of New York City and NYS OASAS Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez Launch iHelp: Sandy Stress Relief in Nassau County
-
October 1, 2014: MHA-NYC Gala Raises Over $1 Million And Spotlights Companies Committed to Hiring Veterans
-
July 15, 2014: MHA-NYC Gala Recognizes Corporate Leaders Committed to Hiring Veterans
-
February 18, 2014: The Mental Health Association of New York City Announces Partnership with PSCH, Inc.
-
October 28, 2013: As the One Year Anniversary Approaches, MHA-NYC Offers Specialized Services for People Struggling After Hurricane Sandy
-
May 3, 2013: MHA-NYC Holds Call Center Open House on May 22
-
April 24, 2013: Superbowl Champion Howard Cross Joins MHA-NYC Gala as Emcee
-
April 19, 2013: 3 Dead, 176 Injured, Millions Traumatized: Crisis Hotlines Vital to Disaster Recovery
-
April 17, 2013: MHA-NYC Crisis Contact Center Rallies to Support People in Distress After the Attack on the Boston Marathon
-
April 16, 2013: MHA-NYC to Hold “Where There is Help, There is Hope” Gala Event On June 6 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City
-
April 5, 2013: Grand Opening Event for Family Resource Center of Western Queens & Queens Adolescent Skills Center
-
February 1, 2013: Michael B. Friedman Policy Event is Rescheduled to March 6, 2013
-
January 8, 2013: Voices of September 11th and MHA-NYC Receive Grant to Assist in Outreach for Those in Lower Manhattan Affected by 9/11/01
-
December 26, 2013: Experts Available to Discuss Mental Health Policy, Firearm Violence and Suicide Prevention
-
December 17, 2013: Resources Available to Help with Emotional Distress From Hurricane Sandy During the Holidays