Kristin Brooks Hope Center

Reese has more than 20 years experience both starting successful businesses, including two national newspapers, and with companies that utilize telecommunications and web-based data collection systems. After losing his wife, Kristin Brooks Rossell, to suicide on April 7th 1998, Reese founded the Kristin Brooks Hope Center and the National Hopeline Network 1.800.SUICIDE. He created 13 active separate programs within the KBHC from publishing the National Journal Preventing Suicide to the 1-800-PPD MOMS (post partum depression peer support network). For 6 years in a row has reached millions of at risk youth through the Take Action Tour which combines a live music tour with a CD which contains music and suicide prevention resources and training materials. Since 1998 when Reese turned his focus to the prevention of suicide, he has helped launch several other organizations: the National Council For Suicide Prevention, the California Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (SPAN-CA), and the Virginia Suicide Prevention Council. Due to Reese?s vision and the National Hopeline Network?s use of cutting edge telephony technology, the Kristin Brooks Hope Center became a recipient of the prestigious 2002 A Search for New Heroes Award, the Computerworld Honors Programs Online Archive of information technology innovation. In 2005 he was recognized by the National Mental Health Association with a special award for his contributions to the prevention of suicide. In 2007 he was given an award by ContactUSA for his role in creating and developing 1-800-SUICIDE.

When Kristin Brooks Rossell died by suicide on April 7, 1998 it forever changed my life, and in turn, changed the way people access mental health services. In my grief over losing my life partner, I gained a new purpose and life that I never would have had if not for her tragic death.<br /> In the 13 years since, the Hopeline Network has routed more than 5 million calls to over 148 community-based crisis centers across the country. We have been able to help unify the helpline community through formation of a collaborative, worked with the federal government to create a $9 million dollar grant to strengthen and evaluate crisis line services, and helped draft<br /> the U.S. Surgeon General&#8217;s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.<br /> None of this could have happened without the incredible stream of people and organizations that have supported us in this effort, and without our own belief that the network services are crucial and are worth dedicating ourselves. We are determined that the Hopeline Network 1-800-SUICIDE cannot fail. And if you believe in miracles, I can tell you a few dozen stories from the past ten years!<br /> There are so many people to thank, for without them we would not have achieved these milestones. <br /> There are thousands to thank, namely all the volunteers and staff in the crisis centers who answer our Hopeline. They are invisible to the world, yet they are often the link that keeps so many isolated, depressed and suicidal people holding on to hope. Crisis lines help to reassure them, let them know that the help they need exists, that they must not give up, and to know that there is someone who cares about them. They indeed are a gift to the world, for they care about people unconditionally, without pay, without praise, and never knowing if the person they talk to today will be alive tomorrow. They have the most rewarding and most difficult job of all. It is time we gave them the credit, help and resources to do their job even better. That is the goal of the Kristin Brooks Hope Center. I hope you will join us in making that goal and dream a reality.<br /> Kristin&#8217;s death resulted in the miracle of life for thousands of suicidal people whose lives were saved by the Hopeline Network.<br /> Sincerely,<br /> H. Reese Butler II, Founder and CEO