As a CVAMC med/surg float pool nurse, Torrie Carson had taken a detail to Community Care. Torrie had retrieved a phone message that was left by a veteran. He sounded very distraught and was requesting admission to the VA domiciliary for alcohol dependence. When Torrie returned the call, the veteran was very grateful but was crying. He expressed that his uncle had recently passed away, and his mother, who lives with him, has been very ill as well. He stated he wanted to get healthy before his mother passed and that he had been sober but was having thoughts of drinking again and was seeking treatment.

Torrie steered the conversation towards trying to get the veteran to CVAMC to be evaluated by the mental health team for possible admission, but things changed when Torrie realized the veteran had suggested something about a gun. When Torrie prompted more conversation about the mention of a gun, the veteran stated that he did have a loaded gun on his lap and, at this time, confessed, “I had a .380 in my hand, and I was going to blow my head off before you called.” Torrie stayed on the phone with the veteran while she alerted an additional RN to the situation. RN Sarah Witt was that nurse.

Sarah was quickly able to call for a welfare check and alert the SI Prevention Team. At this time, communication began between Torrie, Sarah & Emily Resnik. Emily is the SI Prevention social worker and was instrumental in providing direction and insight throughout the situation. Logistically, Emily was on the phone with Sarah while Sarah was messaging information to Torrie. Both Emily and Sarah provided support, instruction, and encouragement to Torrie as she navigated this intense situation that was truly a matter of life or death. Emily (via Sarah) coached Torrie through making sure that Torrie expressed her concerns of safety to the veteran, persuading the veteran to place the gun in a dresser drawer, and identifying other details of the veteran’s home.

The veteran did have 8 other guns, swords, and knives in the house. Torrie was also able to negotiate a plan with the veteran for the county police to come help him since he did not want an ambulance at his house. Torrie was able to gather information to provide to the police so they could safely approach the veteran’s home. The veteran has difficulty walking but, with his walker, was agreeable and able to meet the police at the front door and then was safely taken to a facility for care.

After his discharge, the veteran has been following up with the VA suicide prevention team, is participating in his appointments, and seems to be doing well. It is a proud moment for the VA when a veteran in crisis is cared for, and this veteran was cared for by the collaborative effort that took place. Sarah, Emily, and Torrie were instrumental in providing what this veteran needed, and I want to recognize their efforts. Collectively, they found themselves in a situation with a veteran in crisis where things could have gone badly very quickly. But Torrie, Sarah, and Emily kept their composure, utilized the resources available, and brought help where help was greatly needed.