A survivor becomes a voice of hope

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – As part of our “You are not aloneIn the Mental Health Series, we present the story of Liz Baker, a crisis counselor who answers the calls of those in need and whose personal journey fuels her dedication to saving lives.

Baker’s work is focused on one mission: preventing suicide. As a trained crisis counselor, she provides emotional support to people struggling with thoughts of ending their lives.

Baker is the secretary of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Her full-time job is answering the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

“One of my favorite moments is when callers realize that what feels like the end of the world isn’t, and that they still have a life to live,” she said. “You hear it click in their voice.”

Baker takes calls from people who are in very dark places, a place she knows well.

Personal trauma turned into purpose

“What was once pain, misunderstanding and not knowing turned into purpose,” she said.

That purpose grew out of personal trauma. When she was just 17, Baker lost one of her best friends, Desmond, to suicide. After receiving a disturbing text message from him, she and her mother rushed to his house, arriving just as he committed suicide.

“We got there before the first responders. I’ll never forget it. My mother had to stop me from seeing him.”

The tragic death of her friend left Baker with painful questions: “What could I have done? Could I have stopped it?”

These questions led her to the “Out of the Darkness Walk,” hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at Sharpe Park in Lansing. In a powerful moment, she felt a former teacher’s hand on her back, a comforting reminder that suicide affects many people, even those we least expect.

“It was an ‘aha’ moment to see someone so prominent in the community affected by suicide,” she said.

This revelation fueled Baker’s dedication to helping others. She has since chaired the same walk and is now secretary of the chapter.

Facing her own struggle

However, three years after her plea, she was confronted with her own struggle with suicidal thoughts.

“I felt like an impostor, preaching mental wellness while struggling to use those tools myself.”

In her darkest moment, Baker picked up the phone and called the same lifeline she works for now. Talking to someone outside her situation helped her see things differently.

“I thought I was protecting my family by keeping them out, but I realized this would only cause them pain.”

After a hospital stay and a period of recovery, Baker discovered a sense of purpose in her own experience.

Making Desmond proud

Her mission is now defined by her journey, as she tells callers, “I’ve worn the same shoes, and you can get through this, just like me.” There is something so powerful about using my lived experience to show someone, “I’ve been there, and you can leave too.”

Through her work, Baker honors Desmond’s memory, knowing he would be proud.

“He would be happy to know that his story has launched something that helps countless others. I carry it with me every day.”

If you or someone you know is struggling, call the 988 hotline. The service is confidential and if you have a plan, call 911.

Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter And YouTube page to get the latest local news and weather. Do you want to hire people or grow your business through advertising? Gray Digital Media is your one-stop marketing solution. Learn more.