KANSAS CITY, Mo.—In the days since Wednesday’s mass shooting that killed one and injured 22 others after the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade, mental health advocates have repeated the now well-worn phrase, “It’s ok to not be ok”.
While many of the victims, including nine children, have already been released from area hospitals, experts warn that their emotional scars could take longer to heal. An estimated 1 million people attended the parade and rally, and an untold number of people watched on TV, online or have absorbed news coverage of it. The bottom line is that many people who were not physically injured could find themselves with mental health challenges in the days to come.
Here are just some of the available resources:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990
- The 989 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Signature Psychiatric Hospital: 816.691.5103
- Tri-County Mental Health Services: 816.468.0400
- FirstStepForHELP/Comm Care Mental Health Crisis Line 888.279.8188
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.8255
- Jackson County Prosecutor’s office counseling hotline 816-881-1540
Experts at Children’s Mercy say to be on the lookout over the next few weeks for signs of post-traumatic stress disorder in children, but that parents need to be mindful of their own health as well.