James Woods helps person claiming to be suicidal veteran on Twitter: 'I have all night' and 'would love to talk'
James Woods’s return to Twitter has had a lot of positives.
The actor, who received kudos for being a “one-man state-wide info network” when the California wildfires broke out, tried to help someone else in need on Monday. A person claiming to be a veteran posted a suicidal message on social media, and Woods — as well as many others — tried to help him.
The person tweeted, “I’m on Twitter every day, I retweet all the time but this is the first tweet I’ve ever written. I’m a veteran, I love America. I’m gonna kill my self tonight. I’ve lost everything I have nobody, nobody cares. I’m in a parking lot with my dog and everything I own. Bye.” Woods was among those to try to reach out — sending him messages, following him so they could DM each other and contacting authorities.
Tell me where you are. https://t.co/LVnLT5DeEB
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
We can talk. I don’t care what anybody thinks. Do you? Let’s have a conversation. Just you you and I. https://t.co/0ZD0YU6pFx
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
Not only did Woods try to ascertain where the person was to get authorities to assist, he tried to connect with the man by talking about his beloved dog, who was pictured on his page and was mentioned, to start a dialogue.
Someone said you’re Andrew. In Orlando? Im not trying to trap you. Let’s just talk. You also have your dog. Your little schnoot. Boy or girl? https://t.co/LVnLT5DeEB
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
I’m following you now, so you can DM me. We can talk privately. Or we can talk openly right here. Lot of people worried about you right now. https://t.co/LVnLT5DeEB
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
Woods also referenced the alarmingly high suicide rate of veterans. Approximately 20 vets a day take their lives across the country — and veterans accounted for 14 percent of all adult suicide deaths in the U.S. in 2016.
So think about this. A lot of vets, I understand, have come to where you are tonight. If you could just push this decision off tonight, at least, maybe you would also inspire another vet to seek help. You could save another man, too. By waiting to do this. https://t.co/L5NiEbQv5j
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
Woods, who has been driving cross-country to California from the East Coast, urged the person to call him in his motel room. He said he had all night to chat, and revealed that he has suffered from depression as well.
I’m driving cross country. Sitting in a motel room. I have all night. I know that sounds dorky, but here I am! I would love to talk. Just talk. I won’t push you into anything. https://t.co/LVnLT5DeEB
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
The next posts were after the person’s Twitter account was temporarily suspended per Twitter’s policy. However, Woods kept trying.
So I’m see that Andrew’s tweet has been deleted. Andrew, don’t feel embarrassed that you reached out in the darkness. Nobody thinks you’re foolish for that. You know every one of us reaching out to you right now has some depression, too. I’ll say it. I do.
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
His entire account is closed down. I’m told I can no longer DM him.
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
Then he connected with authorities in several locales to try to assist. At that point, he learned that police were “all over” it.
Did he make any reference to where he was in Orlando? A park, or a bar, or any specific reference?
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
Hello, @OrlandoPolice. A man named Andrew MacMasters just said on @Twitter that he is sitting in a parking lot and is going to kill himself. He’s sitting with his dog, a black lab, possibly in a WalMart parking lot. Can you do a #WelfareCheck? He is a Marine Vet. His tweet: pic.twitter.com/8DwqWVVkhC
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
He’s in Maitland. Calling PD there now.
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
Okay. Just talked to Maitland Police. The dispatch supervisor there was terrific. He’s confident they will find him. I gave Billy, the dispatcher, Andrew’s home address and the info a reliable source DMed me. They are all over this.
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
Andrew wasn’t at his home address. @PoliceMaitland is getting assistance from neighboring agencies. They are really on this.
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
If only Andrew could see the THOUSANDS of fellow Americans who are pulling for him. It’s like he’s lost behind enemy lines and we are cheering him home, willing him to survive. Andrew, do this for the “other 21” vets a day who don’t make it home from the darkness. Stay alive!
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
The Maitland PD are checking everywhere. I gave them my number. Andrew was following me, so I thought maybe he would like to talk some things over. They’re going to give him my number if they find him and we can just talk until sunrise. A new day always helps. https://t.co/mKmCw1sHkk
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
While people reported that the person was safe, it’s still unclear if he is, but it’s being handled by authorities.
I’m hoping this is true. I think now he probably needs less focus on him from all of us, while his loved ones give him the solace he needs. Thanks to all of you who worked to save a valuable life. My heart breaks for the other 21 vets and others who didn’t make it tonight. https://t.co/p5oskKIUrl
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
Woods then shared with his 1.8 million followers that fellow actor Gary Sinise has a foundation to help vets.
Thank you. By the way @GarySinise has a fantastic foundation that helps vets. I’ve known Gary for years, and he’s the real deal. https://t.co/wThQekSJQO
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 20, 2018
A few months back, Woods, who primarily uses Twitter to talk politics (he’s a rare conservative voice in Hollywood), found himself banned for sharing a faux meme trying to get men not to vote. He was reinstated soon after. His work was applauded across the aisle, however, after the horrific fires broke out in California. He helped get information out about the missing and how to help, and it was suggested that his efforts helped save animal and human lives.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is open 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255.
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