Before Damia found her calling as a 988 crisis counselor, she was learning to navigate through life. The turning point wasn’t someone having all the answers, but a single friend who showed up and stayed when she needed it most. “She was the first person to truly hold space for me in any form that I took, whether I was upset, angry, depressed, or having a good day—she accepted me in any way I showed up,” Damia recalled.
Damia realized the importance of being met with non-judgmental support and the lasting impact it can have on someone’s well-being.
“That experience made me want to be there for other people.”
Years later, unsure of what career path to take but always drawn to mental health, Damia found an opportunity to volunteer with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It was a once-a-week commitment with a deeply meaningful impact.
What began as a volunteer experience soon led to a full-time position as a counselor. It’s a role she’s embraced now for over a year, grounding each call in the kind of support she once received herself. It’s not just about being there for someone in crisis—it’s about being fully present, offering empathy without judgment. That same foundation shapes how she shows up for new counselors too, mentoring them to see the value in their own lived experiences. It’s personal truth, she believes, that brings real depth and authenticity to this work.
As a Black woman, Damia also recognizes the unique barriers people of color face when it comes to mental health—stigmas, generational silence, and the pressure to survive instead of feel. She spoke on what it means to be a counselor as a person of color, helping callers overcome those barriers.
“Give yourself the time and space to go through that process in a way that feels most aligned to you. Not how you feel like you should show up,” she said. “Bringing your authentic self to the mental health field is more rewarding for the people who receive those services.”
Damia encourages anyone who needs support to reach out to 988 and honors the courage it takes to take that first step.
“People don’t reach out to 988 because they view it as being weak; I would say it’s quite the opposite. I think it takes a tremendous amount of strength to reach out and to be vulnerable,” Damia explained.
Even after all this time, the connection between Damia and her friend remains strong. When a call brings her back to the heart of why she does this work, it’s a reminder that early support can shape not just where we begin, but who we become.
“Her being proud of me is very rewarding. I don’t think I would be in the position I’m in today if she hadn’t held that space for me back then.”
Need to talk with someone? You can call or text 988 anytime for free, confidential suicide & crisis support. You’re not alone.
