CEO & President
Nationally recognized innovator in behavioral health crisis care — building systems that respond with compassion, not handcuffs.
David W. Covington, LPC, MBA is a nationally recognized innovator in behavioral health crisis care. He is CEO and President of Recovery Innovations and Managing Partner at Behavioral Health Link, where he co-developed the Georgia Crisis and Access Line. David co-founded the Crisis Now and Zero Suicide initiatives, shaping crisis systems across the U.S. and globally. He also produces Moving America’s Soul on Suicide and co-hosts Lifelines: The 988 Podcast. A licensed professional counselor and award-winning leader, David continues to champion systems that respond with compassion, not handcuffs.
Led the development of two of the most influential frameworks in behavioral health, transforming how communities design crisis response systems and suicide prevention efforts across the U.S. and internationally.
Served in key leadership roles with SAMHSA, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline—helping shape the evolution of the 988 crisis system and national standards of care.
Brought together leaders from over 25 countries through international convenings and initiatives, while advancing new models of care and storytelling through platforms like Crisis Jam and Moving America’s Soul on Suicide.
CEO & President
LPC, MBA
Crisis System Transformation & Innovation
David speaks on crisis system transformation, behavioral health innovation, and the future of 988.
