I just had a most profoundly moving experience... leaving my gig Sunday evening, walking to my car, I passed a young man who kinda mumbled something. Thinking he was asking for money, I said "sorry, man... I can't help you". He shook his head and said "no, I need your help" and I asked him what he needed. He said "can you please call me an ambulance?" I stopped in my tracks, grabbed my phone and said "sure, what's wrong?" Very calmly, he said "I'm having suicidal ideations."
I asked him his name, gave him a hug… there was a bus stop bench a few feet away, I had him sit down, called 911, told the dispatcher what was happening and they said they'd send someone... within 5 minutes two police cruisers and a fire truck showed up, followed closely by an ambulance... they talked to him, asked him what was going on and what meds he'd been on. He told them he cuts himself and the voices were telling him to do it again...
Thank God he had the wherewithall to ask for help and thank God I listened to him... thank you, Vincent for trusting me and thank you Hermosa Beach PD and FD for your professionalism and kindness... #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #askforhelp #listen