John Draper

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.