By John Dobberstein, Editor
Two Wagoner County sheriff’s deputies are being credited with saving the life of a woman who injured herself near Coweta.
Deputies J. Villavicencio and W. Sieg responded to State Highway 72 and East 171st Street South for a possible disturbance. They arrived to find a person walking northbound on Highway 72 at the Arkansas River Bridge.
Deputy Villavicencio observed an injury on the person’s arm that required immediate medical attention. Villavicencio applied a tourniquet to the victim’s arm to stop the bleeding with the assistance of Deputy Sieg.
It was later determined that the injury was self-inflicted due to a mental health issue. Coweta EMS transported the victim to a hospital for treatment.
Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott notes the holiday season is approaching and it can be a tough time for those struggling with a loss.
“There may be some of us that are experiencing the holiday season without a loved one this year for the first time. This may be difficult for some individuals, so we encourage you to reach out to someone to discuss the issues you are experiencing,” Elliott said.
“This can be a church member, friend, family member, or a mental health professional.”
For those who believe they’re experiencing a mental health crisis or just need to speak to someone, here are some options:
988 – You can call 988. You’ll be connected to a mental health professional to talk to you through what’s going on and get the resources you need for either yourself or your loved one.
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services – https://oklahoma.gov/odmhsas.html 405-248-9200
CREOKS Mental Health Services – https://www.creoks.org/ 1-877-327-3657
COPES – COPES Mental Health Services – 918.744. 4800
Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office – 918-485-3124
You can always call the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office and request to speak with a deputy about any issues you may have. If you have an emergency call 911.
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