By: Natalie Johnson

When communities talk about safety, the conversation often revolves around physical emergencies. We drill for fires, practice earthquake protocols, and keep CPR dummies in classrooms. But what happens when the crisis isn’t visible? What if the person in front of you is spiraling emotionally, panicking, or contemplating self-harm?

For Justin Goodman, founder of Project 55, the answer is clear: we must rethink what preparedness means in today’s world. Mental health readiness, he argues, should be seen as just as important to community safety as fire alarms or seatbelts. “Emergencies aren’t always about bleeding or broken bones,” Goodman says. “They’re just as often about silent battles no one else can see. And if we aren’t prepared to respond, the cost can be just as significant.”

Why Safety Needs a New Definition

Historically, public safety has centered on protecting bodies, not minds. Goodman believes this definition is no longer sufficient. He points to rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide across age groups. Schools are reporting increasing numbers of students in crisis. Communities see higher rates of drug overdoses and domestic violence. Workplaces still struggle with burnout and stress-related absenteeism.

The common thread? Few everyday citizens are trained to step in when emotional emergencies arise. Unlike CPR or first aid, there is no cultural expectation that you should know what to do if someone is having a panic attack or talking about suicide. The default response is often silence.

That silence, Goodman emphasizes, is dangerous. “When someone collapses, everyone rushes to help. When someone breaks down, people freeze. That hesitation can make a difference in whether someone recovers or struggles longer.”

Beyond the Workplace

While wellness in the workplace has become a more prominent topic, Goodman believes the bigger frontier lies in schools, sports teams, and community organizations. “Teachers and coaches are often the first to notice when something is wrong,” he explains. “But many have never been given the tools to act.”

Consider a high school basketball player suddenly withdrawing from practice. Or a college freshman overwhelmed by student debt and isolation. Or a middle schooler bullied online until they stop showing up to class. In each scenario, an adult may sense something is wrong but feel powerless to help.

That is where Project 55 comes in. The nonprofit provides free online Mental Health First Responder Training designed for ordinary people, not clinicians. The training equips participants to recognize warning signs, ask the right questions, and take first steps without escalating the situation.

From Personal Experience to Public Mission

Goodman’s mission is not theoretical. His urgency comes from lived experience. Over the course of his life, he has faced chronic pain, substance abuse, and type 2 bipolar disorder. During those moments, it wasn’t always a doctor who made the difference. Sometimes it was a friend, a colleague, or even a stranger who noticed, asked, and cared.

Those simple acts of presence, he says, kept him alive. “I know the power of one person willing to step in,” Goodman reflects. “Now I want to scale that power to as many people as possible.”

A Cultural Shift in Preparedness

Goodman sees parallels with past public safety movements. Seatbelt laws transformed how families approached driving. Anti-smoking campaigns reshaped entire cultures. CPR training became a rite of passage in schools and community centers.

“Mental health is our generation’s public safety challenge,” he insists. “Just as we once normalized wearing helmets or calling 911, we must normalize being prepared for mental health emergencies.”

This is not about replacing therapy or professional care. Instead, it’s about creating a safety net of ordinary people who know how to act in the crucial first minutes of a crisis: before professional help arrives.

The Path Forward

Through Project 55, Goodman has set an ambitious goal: train 100,000 people within 12 months. But his long-term vision goes further, embedding mental health preparedness into every layer of society. He envisions schools where every teacher knows the basics of intervention, neighborhoods where parents feel equipped to talk openly with their children, and workplaces where silence is no longer the default.

“If we succeed,” Goodman says, “the phrase ‘first responder’ will take on a broader meaning. It won’t just refer to professionals in uniforms. It will include neighbors, teachers, and co-workers: anyone willing to step up when someone is in pain.”

Preparedness once meant fire extinguishers, drills, and CPR certifications. Today, Goodman argues, it must also mean compassion backed by training. Public safety is no longer just about protecting bodies. It’s about protecting minds.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical or professional advice. For specific mental health concerns, please seek assistance from a licensed professional.