Article by volunteer spokesperson Meira Levy

Our dedicated volunteer spokespeople play a vital role in spreading the word about our critical service. By sharing their voices, stories, and passion for mental health, they help raise awareness, break down stigma, and ensure more people know that free, 24/7 support is just a text away. Their commitment extends our reach and strengthens our mission to be there for anyone in need. This month we recognize Meira, a volunteer Crisis Counselor who has been with us for over two years. Below she shares her experience supporting others through mental health crises.

What I’ve Learned as a Volunteer Crisis Counselor

When I first began working as a volunteer Crisis Counselor, I thought the role would mostly be about problem-solving. I imagined myself offering resources, giving clear advice, and helping people calm down in moments of distress. I quickly learned, though, that the most powerful part of this work isn’t in the answers I give, it’s in the connection I offer.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that absolutely everyone needs support at some point. Crisis doesn’t discriminate. I’ve spoken to teenagers feeling overwhelmed by school and isolation, veterans haunted by trauma, parents at their breaking point, and people who seem from the outside like they have it all together. I’ve learned that pain hides in all kinds of places, and sometimes the bravest thing a person can do is simply reach out and say, “I need support.”

That’s where we come in–not to fix everything, but to show up, to listen, and to be fully present in someone’s worst moment. There’s something powerful about giving your full attention to another human being, especially when they feel invisible. Sometimes, all it takes is a calm voice saying, “I’m here with you,” to shift the energy in a conversation. In those first few minutes, we’re not just counselors, we’re lifelines.

What continues to move me about this work is how small acts of compassion can have such a huge impact. Just staying with someone while they cry, or reminding them that their life matters, can be enough to help them take one more step forward. I remember one texter who wrote, “I thought no one would care if I disappeared, but hearing that you care made me pause.” That pause can be everything. That moment of connection can open the door to hope.

Being a volunteer has also taught me about the strength of the human spirit. I’ve heard people describe unspeakable pain—and then, even in that darkness, they still manage to say, “Thank you for listening.” That kind of resilience humbles me every day. It reminds me that support doesn’t always mean changing someone’s life; sometimes it means holding space while they find the strength to change it themselves.

Finally, this role has shown me the importance of simply being human with one another. We all want to be heard. We all want to know we’re not alone. And in those moments when someone is at their lowest, what they often need most is not a solution, but someone willing to sit with them in their pain.

My volunteer experience has changed the way I see people, including myself. It’s shown me that connection is a basic human need—and that offering it, even briefly, can save a life.

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If you are struggling and need support, text CONNECT to 741741 to be connected to a live, trained volunteer Crisis Counselor. We help people navigate tough moments by guiding them toward their own strengths and coping strategies. We meet people where they are — promoting mental well-being, one conversation at a time. 

Interested in volunteering? Join today and become part of our incredible community of dedicated volunteers.