Ryan Leavitt: 988—An Effort to Prevent Suicide
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DB Podcasts
4.8 • 6.3K Ratings
🗓️ 15 March 2023
⏱️ 46 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Ryan Leavitt doesn't know if the new 988 lifeline would've made a difference for his sister-in-law Lizzie, whose long battle with mental illness ultimately took her life in 2014. But when Leavitt was given the opportunity to work on the legislation that ultimately led to the new easy-to-remember hotline, he viewed it as a way to not only honor Lizzie's life but also to hopefully preserve the lives of so many who face the heartbreaking realities of suicidal thoughts. On this week's episode, Leavitt discusses the hope that comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ, not only through the resurrection but also as we each seek to do all we can to "lift up the heads that hang down."
Show Notes
2:54- What You May Not Know About Congress
11:39- 988 Legislation
15:46- Lizzie
21:30- The Years Since
25:44- No One Size Fits All Approach
28:41- #SmileForLizzie
33:40- Great Expectations
37:02- A Societal Problem
39:32- Gratitude
42:45- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
"It's for us to be engaged in meaningful work to help those around us." —Ryan Leavitt
Links
Silent Souls Weeping by Jane Clayson Johnson
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Before we get into this week's episode, I just wanted to give you a little heads up that the episode |
| 0:05.7 | Discusses the topic of suicide and may not be appropriate for children |
| 0:10.5 | In her book Silent Souls Weeping Jane Clayson Johnson wrote of a 26 year old named Lizzie who after a long battle with bipolar disorder |
| 0:20.9 | Took her own life in 2014 |
| 0:24.0 | Johnson wrote in the last month of Lizzie's earthly life |
| 0:28.0 | She bookmarked a telling quote on her Pinterest board that was attributed to CS Lewis |
| 0:34.1 | The fact that our heart yearns for something earth can't supply is proof that heaven must be our home |
| 0:42.2 | Johnson continued each year more than 44,000 Americans like Lizzie yearn for something they can't find on this earth and |
| 0:50.7 | Consequently in their own lives. It is an epidemic that we can't ignore |
| 0:56.2 | No social or religious class is exempt |
| 0:59.9 | Families not only grieved the loss of loved ones, but also fear they failed to do enough to save them |
| 1:06.5 | Just one source of shame attached to the stigma of suicide in quote |
| 1:12.1 | In 2022 a new resource was made available in hopes of helping others who are struggling with mental illness |
| 1:20.2 | The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline provides 24 seven service to those who are struggling |
| 1:28.3 | One of the people who worked on the legislation that led to the number switch to a three digit easy to remember number is |
| 1:36.2 | Ryan Levit Lizzie's brother-in-law |
| 1:40.5 | Before joining the Barker Levit law firm as a partner Ryan Levit served in senior policy positions |
| 1:47.9 | Advising several key members of both the US Senate and the US House of Representatives |
| 1:53.9 | Additionally, he served as a Senate Judiciary Committee Council a Senate legislative director as a deputy chief of staff and in other |
| 2:02.7 | senior positions in the US Senate and the House of Representatives |
| 2:07.0 | He received his Juris Doctor from George Mason University School of Law and is an active member of the Washington D.C. |
| 2:15.3 | Bar and US Supreme Court Bar |
... |
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