Dr. Draper has nearly 25 years of experience in crisis intervention and suicide prevention work, and is considered one of the nation’s leading experts in crisis intervention and hotline practices. Since 2004, Dr. Draper has been the director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK), a network of nearly 160 crisis call centers across the country, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Dr. Draper is also the president of Link2Health Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHANYC). Under his leadership, Link2Health Solutions administers or supports three other national crisis hotline networks, including the Disaster Distress Helpline, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Crisis Line, and the National Football League NFL Life Line.

Prior to his efforts administering national crisis line networks, Dr. Draper was the founding director of LifeNet beginning in 1996, MHANYC’s award-winning crisis hotline that was central to New York’s mental health response following the catastrophic events of 9/11. Dr. Draper received the Hope and Life Award from the Suicide Prevention Center of New York for extraordinary leadership in suicide prevention. He has also continued his private practice in New York City as an individual and couples therapist over the past 12 years.