7th Annual HelpLine Guardians for Good Panelists
Greg Alfred, Ph.D.
Greg Alfred, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in the state of Ohio. For the past ten years he has served as a psychologist at the Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Administration (VA) Clinic in Columbus, where he specializes in PTSD assessment and treatment. Prior to that, he worked at the Ohio State University Counseling and Consultation Service, where he worked with graduate students and veterans making the transition into higher education. Before completing his graduate training, Greg graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served 11 years as a U.S. Army officer. He also earned a master's degree from Indiana University in counseling and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Dorienna Alfred, watching his sons Brandon and Jalen play high school lacrosse, physical fitness, and his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide football team.
Jarod Anderson
Jarod K Anderson is a writer and poet from Central Ohio. He has published three books of poetry as well as the memoir Something in the Woods Loves You, about his lifelong struggle with depression and the healing power of the natural world. His memoir was a finalist for the 2025 Ohio Book Award. His new contemporary fantasy novel Strange Animals will be published in February 2026 by Ballantine Books.
Jarod's work has been featured in diverse places such as The Marginalian, The Sun Magazine, Literary Hub, musical adaptations performed at Carnegie Hall, and even on Patagonia brand clothing. He has been a featured guest, workshop teacher, and speaker for organizations including Georgetown University's Earth Commons program and The Henry David Thoreau Foundation.
Jason Hughes
Jason Hughes is the Program Manager and Veteran Liaison for the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF). He manages the First Responder Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Instructor Training grant, the Man Therapy Ohio campaign, the Workplace Prevention program, serves on the Suicide Prevention Plan for Ohio (2024-2026) implementation team, and co-leads the Ohio Governor's Challenge Team, which aims to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF). This team works closely with the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Ohio Brain Injury Program, the Ohio Army National Guard, and the Department of Behavioral Health.
With a remarkable 22-year career in the U.S. Army, Jason Hughes retired in 2019. He has since channeled his passion for suicide prevention into various roles and initiatives. Jason is the author of seven books, an Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant (OCPSA), and a vital member of the Delaware County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Appalachian Ohio Suicide Prevention Alliance. He also serves on the OhioCares advisory committee, Life Side Ohio’s advisory committee, the Ohio Violent Death Reporting System’s (OH-VDRS) advisory board, and the Frontline Freedom: Adventure Therapy board. In addition, he is a certified instructor for VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace, QPR, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM), and Star Behavioral Health Providers (SBHP).
Dino Tripodis
Dino Tripodis is a creator always aspiring to do and be more. Born in Gary, Indiana and growing up in a suburb of Chicago and then a small island of Greece, Dino has seen and done it all. In his professional life, he hasn’t so much chosen any of his numerous careers as much as they have chosen him. What ties all the facets of his creative endeavors together is how he strives to connect with the humanity of others. The most valuable asset he’s developed over his many years of being a voice and radio personality is the ability to listen, which has in turn elevated his success as a speaker, performer, and host. He’s particularly proud of his award-winning podcast, Whiskey Business, which is soon to celebrate its fourth successful year of sharing a variety of unlikely stories between friends…over whiskey, of course.
Dino prides himself on being a creator and following his many passions. Back in the day, his job as a private investigator led him to seek out the comedy club scene as a much-needed distraction from the grueling demands of his profession. Eventually, he decided to try his own hand as a stand-up comedian, and in his words, “failed miserably.” Equally perseverant and impassioned, Dino tried again only two weeks later and won big. From there, he went on to win the Johnnie Walker comedy competition in Columbus, giving Dino his start as a professional comedian. Next thing he knew, he was snatched up by the Sunny 95 air waves, even though he never expected himself to become a “radio guy.” He spent 24 years as a morning radio host. It appears that the jobs Dino accepted on a whim have been what’s lent his name the most recognition, but he says it’s his projects of passion that have saved him creatively. He is currently busy working on a novel, conducting Whiskey Business from home, and writing his way through a four-part memoir that will be published in Ikapia Magazine, an online publication of the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America on their website, Pan-Icarian.
Mental Health Resources for Men
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