Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin (WFRV) – A recent mental health crisis involving homeless veterans prompted Fond du Lac County officials to remind the public of the resources available to those in need. I was.
On Tuesday, a sheriff’s deputy responded to a call from a homeless veteran who had been contemplating suicide by parking at Eldorado Marsh in rural Fond du Lac County. said to have possessed it.
Fortunately, a crisis social worker was able to negotiate with him and no one was injured. Sheila Seabourg, a crisis social worker, was one of those on the scene. She said she was grateful that the tragic situation had a happy ending.
Fond du Lac County has had crisis counselors in its departments for about six months, Seabourg said.
“We assess the situation and come up with the safest options possible so that the person feels dignified and has hope,” Seeberg said.
After this happened, Fond du Lac County officials wanted to remind veterans and the general public about the resources available to those experiencing a mental health crisis.
You can always dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. There is also a new suicide and crisis lifeline that people can reach with his 9-8-8. Click here for more information on the 9-8-8 Hotline.
Counties in northeastern Wisconsin also offer crisis intervention services. Here are the phone numbers for each county:
- Fond du Lac County: (920) 929-3535
- Outagamie County: 920-832-4646
- Winnebago County: (920) 233-7707.
- Brown County: (920) 436-8888
- Manitowoc County: 920-683-4230
Fond du Lac County Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt said the county received about 4,000 calls to its crisis hotline last year. His department also does about 500 welfare checks a year, he said.
Waldschmidt said the volume of calls to the Crisis Line increases in the winter, when loneliness and depression can be particularly acute.
“There are a lot of resources, you need to reach out, it’s the first step you need to reach out to someone when you’re hurt,” says Waldschmidt.
“I think it’s important to let people know that they’re not alone, that there are thousands of people who are struggling,” Seeberg said.
According to the latest report from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, 16 veterans die by suicide every day.
Calling 9-1-1, 9-8-8, or your county emergency number is your best option in an emergency.
There are also groups in northeastern Wisconsin that can help veterans with loneliness and mild depression.Vets and Friends in Appleton is one of those places.
Jeffrey Huelsbeck, Director of Community Relations at Vets and Friends, said:
Huelsbeck said the organization also helps veterans connect to specialized mental health and other resources when needed.
