Albuquerque Community Safety Safely Intervenes in Suicidal Ideation Situation Involving Veteran
ALBUQUERQUE - Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) recently demonstrated its critical role in crisis intervention when responding to a call from the Veterans Crisis Line concerning a male veteran in his mid-50’s experiencing suicidal ideations.
ACS Behavioral Health Responders acted swiftly upon receiving a distress call from the Veterans Crisis Line, arriving to assist a male veteran in his mid-50s grappling with suicidal thoughts. The man, who was coping with the approaching anniversary of his daughter and wife's tragic deaths, had been consuming alcohol at the time of ACS's arrival.
“Responder Kay Vargas and I were able to build a personal connection with the veteran,” said ACS Behavioral Health Responder, Monique DeSousa. “I talked to him about his overseas deployment and Kay connected with him about their respective upbringing in northern New Mexico.”
ACS's dedicated team engaged with empathy and understanding, establishing a meaningful connection with the distressed veteran. This personal approach fostered trust, a critical element in crisis intervention.
ACS's compassionate approach to community safety proved effective as the Responders were able to establish rapport and trust with the distressed veteran. The man expressed gratitude for ACS's empathetic response, noting that he often shuts down in the presence of police. Grateful for the compassionate support provided by ACS, he acknowledged the responders for their understanding and guidance during his time of crisis.
The veteran agreed to be transported to the Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center for an urgent mental health evaluation and support.
"This incident demonstrates the vital role ACS plays in our community," said ACS Behavioral Health Responder, Kay Vargas. "We are trained to handle sensitive situations like this with compassion and expertise, focusing on de-escalation and providing immediate care. We are grateful that our intervention helped prevent a tragic outcome and allowed this veteran to receive the support he urgently needed."
ACS is dedicated to reimagining public safety through behavioral health-focused responses. Through collaborative efforts with local agencies and community partners, ACS ensures that comprehensive crisis support services are readily available to meet the needs of every resident.
This situation serves as a reminder of the significance of proactive and compassionate crisis intervention in safeguarding the well-being of our community, reinforcing ACS's pivotal role in fostering a supportive environment for individuals in crisis.
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About Albuquerque Community Safety: ACS is the City of Albuquerque’s third branch of public safety. Responders take calls for service involving behavioral health, substance use, and other non-criminal and non-medical issues. Request an ACS Responder by calling 911 for emergencies and 311 for non-emergencies.