As a counselor at the re:solve Crisis Network — a community service provided by Allegheny County and run by the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC — Keirston takes every call seriously. “A man called us up and told us he was out of dog food. When the team went out to his home, they found that it wasn't about dog food at all; he seemed depressed and in real distress. He just couldn't say it on the phone.” Being open, nonjudgmental, and willing to respond face-to-face has helped the unique team at re:solve Crisis Network make a real difference, according to Keirston. “I'm blessed and honored to work among people who have a passion to help.”
“We have people who have said, ‘I would be dead. I would be lost, alone … if I hadn’t come here.’”