Just another night at the office!
On June 10th the UMCR Night Team responded to a call at 2:42 am involving a 21-year-old Middle Eastern male experiencing suicidal ideation (SI). Upon arrival the team engaged the individual to build rapport with him. The therapist introduced himself and his partner, the community worker on call, and asked the individual if their name had particular meaning in their native language. As the recipient shared more about his culture, he became more comfortable with the team and began talking about his suicidal thoughts and stressors at the time. He became emotional as he shared that he was planning on ending his life by crashing his speeding car. The therapist praised him for stopping when he did, calling 988 for assistance, and waiting for the UMCR Team to arrive. The team sat with the client as he continued sharing his feelings and thoughts related to 17 years of continuous trauma and being overwhelmed by taking on the caretaker role in providing care for his mother who is being treated for cancer.
Once properly witnessed and his feelings and thoughts validated by the UMCR Team, the conversation became lighter, and he was more comfortable with them. He went on talking about his tattoos and their significance of various symbols for him. He ended up agreeing to stay safe after the team leaves, and accepted linkage to receive mental health services. He also agreed for the team to check on him during their next shift.
On June 12 the UMCR Team contacted the individual at 1:35 a.m. and he answered, he shared he had thought that the team might have forgotten about him, and he was hesitant to pick up a unknown caller call in the middle of night. He began to laugh referring to the therapist as the hairless guy ( lol) and then shared, “ Thanks to the hairless guy and Daisy, I am alive. I am eternally grateful for you two. If you two would not have shown up to listen to me, to talk to me, I was 99.9% sure I was going to kill myself. It’s crazy how just 2 days ago, I had nothing to look forward to and now I am so grateful to be alive and have someone to go home to. I want to share this story with other people, can I do it in the resource you gave me, can I tell someone at Penny Lane? I am eternally grateful to both of you”. He had asked to be on the speaker so the community worker could hear him as well. He shared he had a great day at work and was looking forward to following up with the referrals that were given to him. He then requested another call for check in and hoping to see the team in person if possible.
On July 4th the team stopped by his house to check in with him. He was happy to see the team and shared his recent setbacks as he had lost his job and his car while having relationship issues. He shared that he has been depressed and feeling hopeless again. The UMCR team validated his feelings and invited him to take some deep breaths and try and stay in the moment. The team assisted him to recall previous contacts and the importance of following up with the linkages and getting the assistance that he needs. He engaged in a conversation with the team and his mood was elevated after releasing the negative emotions he had been carrying with him. He promised to follow up with the referrals, accepted TAP card to visit the local TAY Drop in Center. The Team also agreed to check on him in a few days.
On July 16th a dayshift team from UMCR contacted the individual and made plans to pick him up from his residence and introduce him to the staff at The Village TAY drop-in center. All three made small talk and were beginning to get to know each other when the group arrived at the drop in center. The therapists accompanied him inside and with the front desk staff everyone introduced themselves. He told the therapists that he did not need them to accompany him on his tour of the facility, so they waited in the lobby until his orientation was complete. During the orientation, he did an intake for mental health services, received a few days’ worth of food and groceries, and made plans to come back and see the employment specialist a few days later. He mentioned that it was very helpful to be accompanied to the center and that he would not have taken those steps on his own. His mood was noticeably lighter on the car ride back to his residence, and he expressed that he was looking forward to the next time he would be able to connect with Ricardo (the nightshift therapist).
Check out some more team photos below!
UMCR responded to a call dispatched by LAPD to assist with a welfare check. UMCR arrived on scene and collaborated with LAPD who shared individual needed housing resources due to house being sold and individual served with eviction notice. UMCR approached the individual who reported they had to be out of the property the next day by noon. Individual reported they have been without power for a few days.
Individual shared feelings and immediate needs. UMCR listened, was empathic, and validated individual. UMCR explored housing options with individual. UMCR contacted multiple shelters and was able to locate an open bed at Bridge to Home in Santa Clarita. UMCR discussed individuals’ dog who was not able to come to the shelter. Individual reported dog could go with sister. UMCR assisted individual in contacting sister who agreed to pick up dog.
UMCR waited for sister’s arrival to the home to take dog. UMCR transported individual to shelter and was able to walk in individual and have a warm handoff with staff at shelter.
Check out some more team photos below!
