Jeremy White, a MHICM nurse, was at the main hospital one day when he overhead a Veteran talk about how hopeless he was and that he wanted his life to be over. Jeremy stopped the Veteran and talked with him learning that he was a 77yo Veteran and had become homeless the day before, had his car with all of his possessions and was feeling hopeless and suicidal. After consulting with his supervisor, Jeremy walked the Veteran to the homeless walk-in office and stayed with him. The Veteran had never registered for services at the OKC VA, was not in the system and did not have his DD214. The homeless walk-in gave the Veteran a list of shelters and determined he was not at imminent risk of harming himself. Jeremy then escorted the Veteran to eligibility. As the Veteran served in the 1970s, eligibility was not able to access his DD214, sending him to the VBA. The Veteran informed Jeremy that he was feeling some hope that he was going to be able to get help. Jeremy provided him with his VA Cell number and encouraged him to call anytime.

The Veteran called the next day to say he had been to VBA, and they had to get his DD214 from achieves. He was again feeling hopeless and suicidal. The Veteran reported he was at the VA, and therefore, Jeremy had him go to the ER. In the ER, he was told since he was not in the system and did not have his DD214, they could not help him. Jeremy has remained in contact with the Veteran for the past week. The Veteran received his DD214 this week and has again felt as if he had hope and would be able to get some help. Jeremy went out of his way to help this Veteran and possibly saved his life by helping him navigate the system of the VA.

At this time, there is a focus on productivity, and although Jeremy knew he was going to take a hit on his productivity, he stayed with the Veteran, focusing on the Veteran's needs, doing what was right and just. The Veteran is now enrolled in services at the OKC VA HCS.