Bench & Bar March/April 2025

FEATURE: MILITARY LAW

BY ROY BERWICK Veteran Suicide: WHAT’S YOUR ROLE COUNSELOR? Phone rings. “Hello, this is Roy Berwick, Legal Aid, may I help you?” VET: “Hey, Mr. Berwick, this Chris Macy, and I am down the street from your office right in front of CVS on Muham mad Ali and Fourth Street.” BERWICK: “Hey, Chris, it is raining cats and dogs come down to the office and get out of the rain.” VET: “No, Mr. Berwick, I don’t think so. I am waiting for the traffic to pick up and the light to turn green and then I am going to push myself in my wheelchair into oncoming traffic. I have had it. Done.” BERWICK: “Wow, wait, Chris, I will be right there. Don’t do anything until you see me, ok? Phone goes dead. OPERATOR: “This is 911 what is your emergency?” BERWICK: My name is Roy Berwick, Legal Aid, I have a client, named Chris, who is threatening to push himself out into oncoming traffic in the next few minutes.” OPERATOR: “Where is he and can you give a description?” BERWICK: He is at Fourth and Muhammad Ali in front of the CVS sitting in a wheelchair. Skinny guy with glasses.” OPERATOR: “Officers dispatched. May I get your infor mation, please?”

T his is a true event. The Louisville Metro Police got there in just a few minutes, recognized my vet, and stopped him from carrying out his plan. They took him to The University of Louisville Hospital where he was admitted for a 72-hour observa tion. The stars lined up for Chris (not the vet’s real name) and he was saved. He is still alive today and doing a lot better. He is still my client in a VA claim for benefits. OPENING NOTES This article stems from a Kentucky Bar Association presentation made during the May 2024 Kentucky Bar Annual Convention, in Covington, Ky. The presentation focused on veteran suicides and what and how a member should respond if confronted with a vet eran’s actual or threatened suicide. Note, while the topic is veteran suicide, suicide rates are not only high for veterans but for lawyers as well, with the rate for both groups higher than the general pop ulation. I emphasize veterans a lot in this article but as a member

12 march/april 2025