Richard Shutes
Interim Executive Director
Inform Florida
Richard Shutes is a nationally recognized leader in 211 services and suicide prevention, with over 15 years of experience advancing crisis response, staff wellness, and contact center operations. He has played a pivotal role in strengthening the 211 network across North America, including integrating mental health support, enhancing quality assurance, and expanding peer-driven models of care.
Richard has also collaborated with law enforcement to improve coordinated crisis response, emphasizing de-escalation and access to community-based care. His broader contributions include work with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Sandy Hook Promise, and the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative.
As a public speaker, Richard is committed to breaking stigma and fostering meaningful conversations about mental health in all communities. His work has been featured on CBS, NBC, PBS, Telemundo, Univision, and The Health Channel. He holds a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling and maintains multiple nationally recognized certifications in crisis intervention, including the Inform USA Certified Resource Specialist (CRS) credential.
Richard has also collaborated with law enforcement to improve coordinated crisis response, emphasizing de-escalation and access to community-based care. His broader contributions include work with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Sandy Hook Promise, and the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative.
As a public speaker, Richard is committed to breaking stigma and fostering meaningful conversations about mental health in all communities. His work has been featured on CBS, NBC, PBS, Telemundo, Univision, and The Health Channel. He holds a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling and maintains multiple nationally recognized certifications in crisis intervention, including the Inform USA Certified Resource Specialist (CRS) credential.
