The Crisis Podcast

In this episode, recorded at the 2019 Crisis Residential Conference, Dr. Debra Pinals presents on the importance of a behavioral health crisis continuum in effective service delivery, as well as lessons learned from other countries in mental health policy.  Dr. Debra Pinals is the medical director of behavioral health and forensic programs for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Servi...

In this episode, Travis shares a panel discussion from the 2019 Crisis Residential Conference on the use of substances like tobacco, marijuana, and controlled substances during crisis residential treatment.  Moderated by Dan Maccia (Community Research Foundation), panelists include: Dr. Scott Madover (Telecare), Myranda Green (Hope Network), Dr. Bruce Baker, and Holly McNerney (Community Rese...

Hear a quick update from Travis on The Crisis Podcast and a new offshoot podcast starting addressing COVID-19 matters.

Sergeant John Wittkowski is the Phblic Information Officer for the Grand Rapids (MI) Police Department. John talks about the evolution of empathy in law enforcement towards people with mental health and addiction issues. He shares about his police department’s journey to bringing CIT training to officers, and the mentors and community partners that have left a lasting influence on him.

Amelia Lehto is a crisis call center expert, a suicide prevention guru, an advocate, and a social media influencer. Amelia has worked in mental health and suicide prevention for over 10 years. She has been heavily involved with organizations like the American Association of Suicidology, Kevin’s Song, and Six Feet Over. Amelia also has a personal connection to suicide, losing her best friend to sui...

Dr. Bart Andrews is a suicide prevention specialist and mental health advocate. He is a Ph. D psychologist and the Vice President of Telehealth and Home and Community Services at Behavioral Health Response in St. Louis, MO. Bart is also a suicide attempt survivor and board member of the American Association of Suicidology.

Jessica Pirro is the executive director of Crisis Services in Buffalo, NY. In this interview, Jessica shares her story of finding her place in domestic violence response work, her natural empathic tendencies, and her tireless efforts to improve collaboration in her hometown and beyond.

Lyndsay Martin has served her community as a behavioral health clinician, advocate, and change agent for nearly 15 years. She is responsible for many of the innovative changes in her crisis programs in the past three years, transforming them to be the premier crisis residential programs in the country. In this episode, Lyndsay shares about her experience managing crisis services, the importance of...

In this trailer episode, host Travis Atkinson explains the content, format, and purpose of The Crisis Podcast.