Team Rescue

A well-established psychologist reached out to me during an extremely difficult time when she was feeling suicidal. Despite being under the care of a psychiatrist, working with a social worker, and taking medication, she sought additional support.

After spending significant time with her and supporting her in continuing to see her own clients during moments of lucidity, she confided that a friend from Florida was coming to Israel with a drug intended to end her life.

At this point, the gravity of the situation escalated, and it became clear that we needed to act quickly. I assembled a team to attempt an intervention, hoping to change her mind and cancel her plans. Despite our efforts, we were unsuccessful, and we faced a critical decision: whether to contact the authorities or try to prevent this from happening on our own. Adding to the challenge, we had no information about the courier bringing the drug to Israel.

The team was divided, and I had to make a swift decision. If we contacted the authorities, they would likely arrest her and place her in a mental institution—a move I feared would complicate her recovery, if she even survived. The alternative was to identify the courier and prevent them from reaching Israel. I chose the latter.

After spending more time with her, she received a call from the courier. By then, she trusted that I would help her carry out her plan, so she introduced me to the courier over the phone. We made arrangements for his arrival and accommodations, and I managed to obtain his flight information, gradually earning his trust.

On the day he was en route to the airport in Florida, the courier called me. At that moment, I informed him that if he boarded the plane and arrived in Israel, he would be immediately arrested. I made it clear that we had all the evidence needed to involve the authorities and ensure his apprehension. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he turned his car around and went home, ultimately saving his own life as well. Given that he had young children and was divorced, this decision likely spared him from devastating consequences.

In the end, the psychologist closed her practice, left Israel, and returned to the United States in a better state of mind. Needless to say, this was a harrowing experience for me—yet it’s all part of the work I am doing, trying to save lives. 

If you know someone facing similar challenges, reach out to me. Every life is precious and deserving of support.