Albuquerque Community Safety Responds to Call from Gamer in Texas

Recently, Albuquerque Community Safety was dispatched to a suicidal ideation call. A caller from out of state had advised us that a gamer friend was emotionally unstable during a gaming session and overheard him mention that he was upset and wanted to commit suicide.

The two had never met in-person and the caller had limited information on the teenager. The caller later advised ACS that the gamer-friend was no longer responding to messages on Snapchat. 

ACS Responders arrived at the presumed location where they made contact with an older female who stated she had no children which led ACS Responders to ask about her neighbors whom she mentioned did have children.

Responders then walked over to one of the suggested homes and knocked. There they were greeted by a female who confirmed her son's gamer name. The family then allowed our Responders into their living room. The son confirmed he made suicidal comments out of frustration with his mother earlier that day and mentioned that he never meant to make those comments to scare anyone and that it was his way of venting his frustration.

“She's got a tough job as a single mother," said Behavorial Health Responder, Danna Gonzalez. "My job is to understand her situation and go from there.”

The mother explained that the family was recently going through a rough patch. Responders shared with the family constructive ways they could communicate without hurting each other with words as well as ways they can decompress and deal with negative emotions. 

“With mental health issues on the rise and the stresses of everyday life, we need an alternative response," said Behavioral Health Supervisor, Christopher Blystone. "We need to have the right response at the right time for the individuals that need that response.”

The family was extremely appreciative about being heard and guided.

Albuquerque Community Safety Responders were timely in their intervention in a potentially life-threatening situation involving a teenager expressing suicidal ideation. Through compassionate outreach and effective communication, ACS Responders were able to provide crucial support to the teenager and his family, highlighting the vital role of community-based mental health services in addressing emergent mental health crises.