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Trauma Resources

 

If you or someone you know is struggling with the violence that took place at the July 4 Highland Park Parade, please know you are not alone. Below are resources available from NAMI Illinois.

 

NAMI Illinois released the following statement and list of resources for the Highland Park Community:

 

"Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, are injured, and traumatized by yet another disturbing act of violence. Whether you are directly impacted or you are struggling to make sense of the senseless, you are not alone. 

 

This event is fluid and unresolved, so at this time NAMI Illinois is focused on providing crisis resources and coordinating the NAMI response in the days ahead. Please follow NAMI Illinois on Facebook or LinkedIn or visit www.NAMIIllinois.org for updates."

 

Resources for Mental Health Crises and Emotional Support

 

Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-985-5990: Spanish-speakers should press ‘2’ for 24/7 bilingual support. Calls are answered by staff who are trained in helping people through large traumatic scale events including mass shootings.

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) – bilingual operators are available. If you or a loved one are feeling suicidal or are experiencing an acute mental health crisis, do not hesitate to call. If you are or a loved one are in imminent danger, please call 911.

 

Illinois Call4Calm Text Line is available 24/7 by texting the word ‘TALK’ (or ‘HABLAR’) to 552020. You will be connected to trained mental health personnel in your own community. Participation is anonymous – your first name and zip code are requested in order to connect you to the support you need.

 

The NAMI HelpLine, 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. You will speak with trained volunteer who will listen, answer questions, and help you find local resources. Visit our interactive map to find any of our 19 Illinois NAMI affiliates.

 

In the Highland Park area our closes affiliates are: NAMI Lake County and NAMI Cook County North Suburban and NAMI Barrington Area

 

The Illinois Warm Line is available for caring support for mental health and/or substance use challenges at 866-359-7953. Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., except holidays.

 

The National Association of School Psychologists offers practical tips for educators and parents in talking to children about violence, starting with reassuring youth that they are safe in this moment.

 

Grief and Loss Support Virtual Support Group

 

Through the Grief and Support group, participants find healthy ways of remembering and honoring someone you care about. You will find a community of others who understand your pain, and like you, are learning to let go, needing to let go of blame, and becoming whole again.

  • Offered by NAMI’s Cook County-North Shore affiliate. Open to any Illinois resident.
  • Saturdays at 10 a.m. Click here to learn more and register.


Resources for Parents


Other Emotional Support Resources

  • Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-985-5990: Spanish-speakers should press ‘2’ for 24/7 bilingual support. Staff are trained to help people through large traumatic events including mass shootings.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) – bilingual operators are available. If you or a loved one are feeling suicidal or are experiencing an acute mental health crisis, do not hesitate to call. If you are or a loved one are in imminent danger, please call 911. 
  • Illinois Call4Calm Text Line is available 24/7 by texting the word ‘TALK’ (or ‘HABLAR’) to 552020. You will be called by trained mental health professional from your own community within 24 hours of your for support. Participation is anonymous – your information is used only to help you make the connection.
  • The Illinois Warm Line is available for caring support for mental health and/or substance use challenges at 866-359-7953. Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., except holidays.
  • The NAMI HelpLine, 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. You will speak with trained volunteer who will listen, answer questions, and help you find local resources. Visit our interactive map to find any of our 19 Illinois NAMI affiliates.

     

VictimConnect 

 

VictimConnect is an OVC-funded service that offers confidential assistance to victims of crime. Trained specialists are available to help you locate services in your area, including mental health counseling, legal services, and more. Contact VictimConnect from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time at: 
Phone: 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846) 
Chat: https://chat.victimsofcrime.org/victim-connect 

Dial 711 and VictimConnect staff can provide services through an interpreter in more than 200 languages, and to hearing- and speech-impaired individuals. 
 

Disaster Distress Helpline

 

The Disaster Distress Helpline, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is a national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. 

 

This 24/7 toll-free, multilingual crisis support service is available to residents in the United States and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters, including incidents of mass violence.  
Call or text the hotline at 800-985-5990. 
  

Victim’s Compensation Fund

 

Illinois’ Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, funded in part through the OVC-administered Crime Victims Fund, may help offset a victim’s financial burden related to funeral, mental health, medical, and other expenses. Following is contact information for this program: 
Office of the Illinois Attorney General 
Crime Victims Services Bureau 
Phone: 800-228-3368 
TTY: 877-398-1130 
Crime Victims Compensation FAQ: https://ag.state.il.us/victims/CV_FAQ_0122.pdf  

 

Mental Health Resources

  • Lake County Crisis Helpline
    • Call 847-377-8088 for resources or support if someone close to you is experiencing a crisis.
  •  Text a Tip Line Lake County 
    • Consider sharing a text with Text a Tip as a resource for students or residents when an adult or counselor is not available. The counselors are in Lake Bluff and they know what has been going on. The details below. You can also share on CTAD's Facebook and Twitter. They will be posting frequently over the next week.

 

Highwood Public Library and Community Center

 

In the wake of the recent tragedy in Highland Park, the Highwood Public Library and Community Center will offer supportive mental health services to facilitate community healing. The following services will be available free of charge for all:

  • Individual Therapy
    • Monday - Thursday
    • Appointments available from 3:00-7:00pm
  • Support Groups
    • Monday - Wednesday
    • Drop-In from 6:00-7:30pm

Individual therapy sessions and support groups are available for both English and Spanish speakers.

They also invite our community to join our Health Equity team in a virtual series of community conversations on grief, trauma, and processing difficult emotions and feelings.

 

Family Service of Lake County

    • Expanded Hours: They are open 9am – 7pm for counseling sessions for any member of the community who needs professional assistance 
    • Leadership on trauma conversations: They provided guidance to city leadership on a critical conversation with city staff and stakeholders debriefing the tragedy. They will be leading a few debriefs with city staff and stakeholders later this week 
    • Free Counseling: They will be offering free 20-30 minute sessions at no charge for those in the community with a need for professional assistance 
    • If you or a loved one are in crisis, please reach out to the Lake County crisis hotline at 847-377-8088.