Breaking the Silence: How One Call to 988 Saved a Life

The Overcomers Approach podcast recently featured a profound conversation with Gretchen Schoesser, a suicide attempt survivor who transformed her darkest moment into a mission of hope and advocacy. At 61, Gretchen's story exemplifies resilience, representing a powerful testament to the importance of mental health awareness and the life-saving impact of resources like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Gretchen's journey through depression began during what she describes as "the hardest quarter of my entire life" in late 2022. Within a short period, she faced an early retirement offer (bringing concerns about ageism), her wife's debilitating bout with shingles, a traumatic incident involving a deer, being catfished severely enough to involve the FBI, and the deaths of both a close friend and her father-in-law—all compounded by seasonal depression. Despite these overwhelming challenges, no one around her—not even her wife of 28 years—recognized the severity of her suffering. As an extrovert and empath, Gretchen had perfected the art of "masking up," presenting a composed exterior while internally struggling with thoughts she couldn't articulate.

On Christmas Day, a seemingly minor frustration—her car refusing to start in -22°F weather—became the breaking point. In that moment of despair, with a bottle of pills in hand, Gretchen heard a small voice reminding her "things might get better." This glimmer of hope prompted her to call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. That call, as she emphatically states, saved her life. The compassionate responder conducted a safety assessment, guided her through breathing exercises, and created a space where Gretchen could finally break down in tears after months of emotional suppression. This critical intervention enabled her to ultimately speak to her wife about her mental state.

The aftermath of her crisis became a catalyst for transformation. After sharing her experience on social media, nearly 200 people reached out, expressing gratitude for her vulnerability and revealing their own struggles. This response crystalized her purpose: to help normalize conversations around mental health. With a friend who had been her manager, Gretchen launched an award-winning mental health podcast, deliberately timing the first episode for Valentine's Day, reclaiming a date that had been painful since her mother's funeral in 1997.

Gretchen's professional journey took another turn when, at 61, she established her own company combining her extensive technical background with wellness strategies focused on helping organizations manage change while prioritizing employee mental health. "I'd compromised my entire life," she reflects, "and I was like, you know what? I'm 61 years old, I'm not gonna compromise again." This decision to honor her boundaries and pursue meaningful work represents a powerful second act empowered by the wisdom gained through her mental health journey.

Throughout her recovery, Gretchen developed practical strategies for managing ongoing depression. She starts each morning with 20 minutes of humor (currently fascinated by raccoon videos), followed by expressing gratitude aloud. She emphasizes the importance of writing thoughts down, scheduling intentional breaks outdoors, practicing kindness toward strangers by addressing them by name, and remembering her purpose. Perhaps most touchingly, she created a code word "unicorn" that signals to her wife when she needs to get out of the house to clear her head.

Gretchen's message to those suffering in isolation is clear: resources exist, from the 988 Lifeline to community mental health centers to online groups. Her powerful reminder—"you are enough, you are wanted, you are needed, you are loved and the world's a better place because you're here", serves as the perfect encapsulation of her journey from despair to purpose. Through her willingness to share her story, Gretchen continues to unlock the prisons of shame and isolation that keep too many suffering in silence, providing hope that healing is possible at any age. Check out the full episode on Overcomers Approach Podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278962/episodes/17207383