Testimonials

A Navy Veteran’s Story – Choosing life over death

A post 9/11 Navy veteran contacted Vets4Warriors with issues of being suicidal with access to weapons and intent to harm himself.  The veteran was intoxicated and used alcohol daily to cope with his issues.  The peer, with support from a clinician, was able to speak to him long enough to calm him down and get him in the correct mindset. The peer shared some personal stories of struggles and soon the veteran was open to ideas of recovery.  At the end of the call the veteran was again assessed for suicide which he said he would be safe. 

The veteran was called again for follow up and was thankful for the callback and mainly the initial conversation.  He explained how he had no real family support to get him through the dark times and how the call gave him hope that people do care. He was able to stop drinking as much and was sober so far that day. The veteran had so much positivity because of that first conversation and the fact that someone cared that he is now looking towards the future which is something he hadn’t done before. He also broke up with his abusive girlfriend because he now had the strength to do something he wanted to do for a while. The veteran said how much he looks forward to their next conversation and thanked him for “saving his life”.