Dina answered a call from a Veteran. This Veteran has a cognitive d/o, bipolar, and thoughts of suicidality. He does typically have some passive SI. During this encounter, Dina noticed the Veteran's suicidal thoughts were much more organized with a plan and the means to follow through. Dina felt further assessment was warranted and reached out to the program manager (no social work or psychology was available a the time). The program manager called 911 while Dina stayed on the phone with the Veteran. The Veteran became increasingly upset and told Dina, “Dina, I love ya, this is over,” and hung up. She was not able to get him back on the phone. Fortunately, help was already on the way.

The Providence police called the program manager back and provided an update. They sent a couple of Veteran officers over to the home to assess him, and they were able to get him to the VA to be evaluated. The police officer was grateful for our advocation for the Veteran and praised our dedication to the Veteran. The Veteran went to the VA ER to be evaluated and was also found to have COVID. The Veteran was evaluated by mental health and deemed safe to return home. He was also treated for COVID.

Dina called the Veteran the next day to follow up. The Veteran reported feeling better and is taking his medications as prescribed. He told Dina, “I am so happy you were determined to get me help. I was so lost in my thoughts that I was ignoring the trouble I was having with my breathing. You saved me, and I thank you dearly from the bottom of my heart.”