Support Resources in the Wake of the Boulder Shooting

The following list of materials includes resources for those in need of acute care or crisis intervention, general mental health and substance use-related needs after an incident of violence, as well as separate sections listing materials specifically for children, families, and teachers, emergency responders, and for coping with trauma.  Toward the bottom is information and links for how to donate in support of the victims’ families.  (Appreciation to the many professional organizations – Colorado Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – community organizations, and our local legislators who provided excellent resource lists that informed what is gathered here.)

• Colorado Crisis Services – For immediate support, CCS offers a 24 hour crisis line. Dial 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 to be connected with a compassionate mental health professional who can provide immediate support. You can also access a 24/7 walk-in crisis center by visiting 3180 Airport Road, Boulder, CO.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline—Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a source of support available 24/7 to people in crisis, including challenging reactions to disasters. Call 1–800–273–TALK (1–800–273–8255), or, for support in Spanish, call 1–888–628–9454.
• A traumatic event such as this is unexpected and often brings out strong emotions. People can call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline’s toll-free number (1–800–985–5990) and receive immediate counseling. This free, confidential, and multilingual crisis support service is also available via SMS (send text to 1-800-985-5990) to anyone experiencing psychological distress as a result of this event. People who call and text are connected to trained and caring professionals from crisis counseling centers in the network. Helpline staff provide confidential counseling, referrals, and other needed support services.
• Rocky Mountain Brainspotting Institute (RMBI):  This local organization is compiling a list of local therapists willing to offer up to 10 free sessions of brainspotting to anyone who was impacted by the incident.  Please reach out to RMBI here.

• Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress—This downloadable SAMHSA tip sheet gives stress prevention and management tips for dealing with the effects of trauma, mass violence, or terrorism. It lists tips to relieve stress, describes how to know when to seek professional help, and provides accompanying resources. There is also a version available in Spanish and one in Punjabi.
• Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Traumatic Event: What To Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work, and Financial Life—In this downloadable tip sheet, SAMHSA describes the effects that disasters and other traumatic events can have on survivors in general, and specifically on different parts of their lives. The tip sheet suggests steps to cope with a disaster or other trauma, lists signs of the need for professional mental health and substance use assistance, and identifies resources for additional information and support.  There is also a version available in Spanish.

Violence and Trauma-specific Information

• Coping With Grief After Community Violence—This downloadable Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) tip sheet introduces some of the signs of grief and anger after an incident of community violence, provides useful information about to how to cope with grief, and offers tips for helping children deal with grief.
• Mass Violence/Community Violence—This SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series installment is a collection of resources about common reactions to incidents of mass violence, community violence, and terrorism; tips for coping with such incidents; and ways to support children and youth in coping.
• The Impact of Disaster and Mass Violence Events on Mental Health— This online article from the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) describes common reactions that disaster survivors may experience. While most reactions lessen over time, some may turn into long-term and severe responses, such as PTSD.
• American Psychological Association Resources for Coping with Mass Shootings, Understanding Gun Violence – an assortment of resources on coping with stress, talking with children, gun violence research and gun violence and mental health.
• This comprehensive handout of resources put together by Representative Joe Neguse’s office includes information about crisis resources, upcoming local vigils, the Victims’ Compensation process, and how to protect yourself against victim’s compensation scams.

• Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers—This downloadable tip sheet can help parents, caregivers, and teachers recognize and address problems in children and teens affected by a disaster. Readers can learn about signs of stress reactions that are common in young survivors at different ages, as well as how to help children through grief.
• Helping Youth After Community Trauma: Tips for Educators—In this 1-page tip sheet, the NCTSN identifies 10 ways in which youth may react to community traumas such as natural or human-caused disasters and suggests ways for educators to respond to these reactions and support youth in coping. The tip sheet also advises educators to find professional mental health support for youth—and for themselves—as needed.
• Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Recent Shooting—In this 3-page tip sheet, the NCTSN describes how a shooting may affect children and teens as well as parents and other caregivers. The tip sheet lists reactions common among people of all ages, offers coping tips for caregivers, and suggests ways for caregivers to support children and youth in coping with their reactions to a shooting. This resource is available in Spanish as well as English.
• Tips for Parents on Media Coverage—In this 2-page tip sheet, the NCTSN explains the effects that media coverage of a violent incident may have on children and teens and suggests ways for parents and other caregivers to help children and teens manage reactions to media coverage and the violent event. The tip sheet also includes tips for families with involvement in a violent incident.
• Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting – online article from the American Psychological Association on supporting children.