SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA WRITER
John Bateson
Bio
I was executive director of a nationally-certified crisis intervention and suicide prevention center in the San Francisco Bay Area for 16 years. I also have been executive director of three university counseling centers, and deputy director of a multi-county social service agency.
I served on the Steering Committee of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), and was appointed to a blue-ribbon committee that created the "California Strategic Plan on Suicide Prevention." I also have been a featured presenter at conferences of the National Association of Crisis Center Directors and the American Association of Suicidology. For my work, I received a special commendation from the California Legislature, and was chosen to carry the Olympic torch. (photo by Karen De Jager)