For Noa Gasway, supporting someone in crisis begins with presence — offering care, listening without judgment, and creating space where people feel truly understood and valued.
Her path into mental health advocacy began with personal loss: the death of her aunt and the emotional impact it had on her young cousins, who struggled to access support. That experience opened her eyes to the gaps in mental health care, and inspired her to help fill them.
As a volunteer crisis counselor on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Noa has witnessed how powerful it can be to show up for someone in their moment of need. “For many, it’s the first time anyone has listened without judgment,” she says. “Being able to connect people to resources that support them in their next steps–that’s really huge for me.”
Her approach is grounded in empathy, cultural humility, and a deep understanding that mental health care should be accessible and affirming. Whether speaking with a caller on the line or supporting a grieving friend, Noa adapts to what people need — creating space for honesty, connection, and healing.
Through her experience with 988, Noa has seen how transformative compassionate crisis care can be. It’s shaped how she shows up for others, how she talks about suicide and trauma, and how she advocates for better support systems. She knows the importance of meeting people where they are — especially when they feel like no one else can.
Noa brings that same care and commitment beyond the phone line: in her community, in conversations about stigma and equity, and in her efforts to make mental health care more human. She’s not just doing the work, she’s helping reimagine what support can look like.
As a member of Didi Hirsch’s Next Generation Council, Noa helps guide the future of mental health care with the insight that comes from lived experience and direct crisis support.
“I’ve struggled with my own mental health, which is another thing that led me into this field,” she says. “The treatment I’ve received has made me the type of person that can be here, doing this work.”
Whether on a call, in conversation, or shaping systems of care, Noa leads with purpose and heart. For her, mental health care isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. And being able to offer it with real empathy is what drives her forward.
