Bennett Breaking The Stigma: A Real Life 988 Crisis Hotline Success Story
Bennett of The NEW 96.5 has been very open about his struggles with anxiety since childhood, the importance on speaking out about mental health, and resources that are available for those in need.
The 988 Crisis Lifeline has been a game changer for Philadelphian's or loved ones experiencing mental health crises, and the 988 Lifeline can help those in need and how "it's ok to not be ok."
Last fall, Ayanna Abdul-Ali called 988. She had been feeling... not quite like herself for years but had put off talking to anyone professional because she was ashamed. She thought she could get through living a life full of unhealthy patterns and suicidal ideation by herself.
After the relief she felt after calling 988, she spoke to her mother who helped to get her assessed by a psychologist and a psychiatrist who worked together to diagnose her with depression. She was also put on anxiety medication. Her mother, Monava Jones, works for the City’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services (DBHIDS), and had mental health and 988 materials and merchandise around the home; as well as always talking about it, so Ayanna was familiar. In addition, Ayanna called 988 and happened to speak to someone Monava had worked with for a long time at the department. Monava asked Ayanna who she spoke to and after getting permission from her daughter to talk to that crisis counselor, Patrick Dunn, the two of them eventually connected where Monava thanked Patrick for the support he provided to her daughter that day.
Presently, Ayanna, with the help of prescribed medication, is doing better. She no longer suffers with suicidal thoughts and has a much more positive feeling about life.
Listen now as our own Bennett, a mental health awareness advocate himself, hosted Ayanna, Monava and Patrick for a special podcast where they told their story. Bennett talks about his own mental health struggles and how he sought help, as well.
