Lieutenant Colonel Teresa had a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force before retiring after 24 years of service. Teresa needed help with her service-related injuries and found the perfect hospital-based program dedicated to mental health issues. However, the program required Teresa to take two weeks off of work, which would not be paid. Having recently moved across the country to assist family members dealing with a medical crisis, Teresa could not afford to take two weeks of unpaid leave from work. Teresa was referred to SALUTE, who stepped in to provide utility and mortgage payments.
“The combination of the move and having to take unpaid leave so I could seek assistance for my mental well-being left me financially strapped to say the least. In a moment when I felt the walls closing in, you gave me breathing room, which made it easier to sleep and maintain my physical health. “Thank you” is a simple phrase that does not seem sufficient, but it is all I can say. Bless you and all the great work that you do.”