Kelly Bowman – Co-Chair of Committee, Colorado Department of Health
Patrick Hilligoss – Co-Chair on Committee, Aetna Health; PRSS Certified Oklahoma
As a Peer Support Specialist at Aetna Better Health, Patrick (he/him) is deeply committed to helping individuals experiencing homelessness or the threat thereof, particularly those grappling with substance use or mental health challenges. Having walked through the darkest corners of emotional and mental turmoil himself, Patrick understands the profound pain and isolation these experiences can bring. His passion lies in demonstrating that recovery is attainable and in empowering others to reclaim their lives. He believes wholeheartedly that we are defined by our humanity, not our diagnoses.
Organization Affiliation: Samaritans Inc.
Cynthia Yue, MPP – SAMHSA, National Advisory Council Member
Cynthia Yue (she/her) is an internationally recognized activist who addresses mental health issues at the nexus of climate action, social justice, and human rights. On the SAMHSA National Advisory Council, she highlights youth, AAPI, and rural perspectives on issues including eco-anxiety and equitable mental health access. As a fellow at the White House Mental Health Youth Action Forum in 2022, she collaborated with notable figures to raise mental health awareness. Previously, she served as the 10th Youth Observer to the UN, leading global initiatives for the UN Sustainable Development Goals and founding a social justice series with UNA-USA. In response to anti-Asian hate crimes during COVID-19, she partnered with the Asian Mental Health Project to promote AAPI mental health resources. As a UNICEF Youth Ambassador, she launched a youth social media advocacy campaign with over 450 million engagements. A lifelong mental health activist, Cynthia aims to uplift underserved populations through policy interventions.
David W. Covington, LPC, MBA is a behavioral health innovator, entrepreneur, and storyteller. He is CEO and President of Recovery Innovations, a partner in Behavioral Health Link, and producer of the Moving America’s Soul on Suicide documentary film series. David also hosts and curates the popular weekly 988 “Crisis Jam” Learning Community with SAMHSA and NASMHPD and publishes the weekly Lifelines: The 988 Podcast with Dr. John Draper.
A licensed professional counselor, Covington received an MBA from Kennesaw State University and an MS from The University of Memphis. He is a founding member of the U.S. DHHS Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC), established in 2017 in accordance with the 21st Century Cures Act to report to Congress on advances in behavioral health.
In 2024, Covington received the Zero Suicide Visionary Award in Liverpool, England, and has served on the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Executive Committee since 2010. In 2011 and 2016, he co-led the task forces on clinical care and crisis which founded Zero Suicide and Crisis Now, respectively, in partnership with Dr. Michael Hogan. Covington was also the vice-chair of the SAMHSA National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Steering Committee from 2005 until 2020, and he is a past president of the American Association of Suicidology and a former member of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing Board of Directors.
Covington is a two-time national winner of the Council of State Governments Innovations Award. He also competed as a finalist in the 2009 Harvard Kennedy School Innovations in American Government Awards Program on behalf of the Georgia Crisis and Access Line, which was featured in Businessweek. Between 2009 and 2013, he served as a Vice-President with Magellan Health, responsible for the $750 million per year Regional Behavioral Health Authority contract with Medicaid.
David has been featured on NPR and USA Today and is an internationally acclaimed speaker. Follow him on Instagram, YouTube, WordPress, X, and Facebook.
Greg Borders, LCSW – Call Center Employee (Lines for Life), Chief Clinical Officer
Greg Borders (he/him) has worked in the mental health and addictions field for 30 years. Greg is a person living in long-term recovery from addiction. Greg currently works at Lines for Life and has overseen the Lifeline and 988 for the majority of Oregon for the past 12 years.
Jean Olshefsky, CPS-MH, CARES – Carelon Behavioral Health; Program Consultant
Jean Olshefsky, CPS-MH, CARES (she/her), serves as the Director of Recovery & Advocacy for Carelon Behavioral Health, a part of The Georgia Collaborative ASO. Jean is passionate about Recovery, including her own, and encouraging others to live their best life. In Jean’s role with the ASO, she is a member of the leadership team and supports Clinical, Care Coordination, 988 follow-up, and Quality Management teams. Nationally, Jean supports multiple crisis accounts and warm lines, advancing systemic change for those with lived experience and peers seeking recovery and wellness. Prior to her role with Carelon Behavioral Health, Jean worked for the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network as Assistant Director of the Decatur Peer Support, Wellness, and Respite Center. Working as a CPS in Michigan, Jean was part of a case management team that supported up to 60 Medicaid-funded Individuals. Jean is a member of several boards including the Georgia Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council (GBHPAC) where she chairs the Adult MH committee. Jean also serves as secretary on the Board of Directors of R2ISE, Inc. a 501.3c arts-focused Recovery Community Organization (RCO) in Atlanta, and completed the Health Equity by Design Harvard Certificate Program. Throughout her career, Jean has received several awards including the “Making a Difference Award” in Michigan, Charles Willis CPS of the Year in Georgia, and NAMI Georgia Community Partner of the Year. Jean has extensive experience working as a Producer and Director, which nurtured her creative talents. Jean has spent many years volunteering and supporting IDD causes, remains involved with the arts through photography, and enjoys traveling, being on the water, music, and telling bad puns.
Joana Peralta – UC San Diego, Psychology/Education Student
Having struggled with her own mental health, Joana (she/her) hopes to provide perspective for the Lived Experience Committee in order to support youth and any individual experiencing passive suicidal ideation. Now an incoming fourth year at UCSD studying Psychology with a minor in Education, Joana has been involved in the Active Minds at UCSD chapter organization serving as Co-President for the 2024-2025 school year. Since high school, Joana has been passionate about promoting mental health, being involved in the Peer Counseling program as lead facilitator for Anxiety Peer Support group and Racial Tensions support group. Given her experience as a first-generation woman of color, Joana recognizes how important it is to consider intersectionality and the role systems play when addressing the factors that affect an individual’s growth and overall well-being.
Julia Hewitt – AFSP South Texas, Chapter Board Chair
Julia Roubtsova Hewitt (she/her) is a dedicated advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, serving as the Board Chair for the South Texas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). With a passion for supporting others, Julia has been a volunteer with AFSP since 2018 and has also served as a crisis counselor for the Crisis Text Line. Julia’s commitment to this work is deeply personal, as she has lived experience with mental health struggles and suicide/suicide loss. This lived experience fuels her dedication to creating a safer, more supportive community for all. In addition to her work in mental health, Julia is an Executive Director with a Fortune 500 company and an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at two universities. Her academic background and professional experience have equipped her with a unique understanding of the importance of resilience and leadership. Originally from Russia, Julia brings a distinct perspective to her work, shaped by her experiences as an immigrant. She is committed to making a positive impact in her community and beyond. Julia’s greatest joy comes from her family – she is a loving mother to two incredible young people and four beloved pets. Through her work and personal life, Julia champions the values of compassion, inclusion, empathy, and dedication, working with others to make a difference in the world.
Kate Hardy, MPH-MSW Candidate – Six Feet Over, Executive Director
Kate Hardy (she/her) is the founder and Executive Director of Six Feet Over, a Michigan-based suicide prevention and postvention nonprofit. Kate is the survivor of nine losses by suicide beginning with the loss of her mother in 2003. She has been recognized as a subject matter expert who specializes in novel approaches, awarded the 2017 American Association of Suicidology Loss Survivor of the Year, former member of the NSPL Individual and Family Lived Experience Committee (2016-2021), the Lifeline Chat Work-group, an advisor on the Michigan Suicide Prevention Plan Workgroup, contributor to the Michigan 2024-2027 Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan, and a member of the International Messaging Advisory Group. She is currently an advisory committee member of the Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative and the Kansas Suicide Prevention Coalition, a board member of With One Voice, as well as several advisory workgroups, boards, committees, and a national speaker. She lives just outside of Detroit with her husband of 20 years and their teenage son.
Kelly Haskins – Founder and President of Do It For Hunter, Inc.
Kelly Haskins (she/her) is the Founder and President of Do It For Hunter, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to saving lives from suicide. She founded this organization after losing her 18-year-old son. She lives in Merritt Island, Florida with her husband, and works in the marketing field for a local credit union. After losing her son, she has dedicated her time to helping other people know how to reach out for help, sharing the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and strives to save lives from suicide.
Madi Dinneen – Active Minds
Madi (she/her) is a sophomore at St. Olaf College who is passionate about public policy, community engagement, and mental health. Her recent accomplishments in the mental health world include presenting to teenagers about healthy relationships and contributing to a state task force to determine the future of psychedelic medicine to treat PTSD. In her free time, you can find Madi enjoying the people and beautiful nature on campus, volunteering around town, playing piano, or reading.
Meera Varma, MPH-MSW Candidate – Committee Member; Mental Health Activist, TEDx Speaker
Meera (she/her) is a Mental Health Activist and TEDx speaker based in Los Angeles. She is dedicated to reducing the rates of suicide through public policy and facilitating conversations on an interpersonal level. Her activism has been recognized by Oprah, President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Meera received her bachelor’s from UCLA in 2022 and is pursuing her master’s degree at UCLA. Learn about her at meera-varma.com
Pata Suyemoto, PhD – National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, Executive Director
Dr. Pata Suyemoto (she/they) is a feminist scholar, writer, educator, curriculum developer, equity trainer, mental health activist, jewelry designer, and avid bicyclist. She earned her PhD. from the University of Pennsylvania and did her research on anti-racist education and issues of race and racism. She is the Executive Director of the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA). She is also the Associate Director of Equity for the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP). She is a person with lived- experience and has spoken and written about being a suicide attempt survivor and her struggles with chronic depression and complex PTSD. Her claim to fame is that she rode her bicycle across the country in the summer of 2012.