Debbie took a call from a Manchester VA Veteran who was struggling with a reduction in his prescription opioids. She was calm and clinically on-task with helping him with his pleas for help regarding detox and reached out to a pain team member for assistance. Once the Veteran began to express suicidal thoughts, Debbie kept him on the phone while she messaged suicide prevention. The Veteran began yelling at Debbie, however, she consistently kept calm. She stayed on the phone with this Veteran for an hour, keeping him safe, reassuring that we were here to help, and discussing options for treatment. Debbie did a great job collaborating with programs to help this Veteran in need.
Debbie has received several suicidal calls from Veterans. From this, she identified a facility issue that there was no mental health representation to take suicidal calls after 3:30 pm. Therefore, she diligently worked with the mental health managers and came up with identifying after-hours social workers to assist with these calls. This has positively impacted the facility and Veteran care.