PermiaCare has reopened its Family Resiliency Center to offer mental health services to those affected by the June 12 shooting.
Kessly Salinas/Midland Reporter-Telegram
PermiaCare has reopened its Family Resiliency Center to offer mental health services to those affected by the June 12 shooting.
Kessly Salinas/Midland Reporter-Telegram
After the June 12 shooting in Midland, PermiaCare has reopened its Family Resiliency Center, offering free mental health services to support anyone struggling with the aftermath.
“What happened was a tragedy, and we just want to make sure that our community knows that there’s support here,” said Dalia Ramirez, mental health first aid training specialist for PermiaCare and licensed professional counselor associate.
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PermiaCare has partnered with the FBI Victim Services Division and the Red Cross to offer these services to anyone in the community, whether they were at the scene, know someone affected or were shaken by what they saw online.
The Family Resiliency Center will offer mental health services to anyone struggling with anxiety, difficulty sleeping, changes in eating habits or jumpiness.
“It’s really for anyone who was affected from the attack that happened on Friday, June 12,” Ramirez said.
“If you were affected by the shooting, please come visit with us, because we’re trying to do what we can for our community.”
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The team will also address basic needs for people who visit the center, such as help with damaged vehicles or temporary housing.
The Family Resiliency Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 401 E. Illinois, Suite 103. Trained staff members will discuss ways to cope, heal and build resilience.
The center can also provide support for Spanish speakers, one-on-one counseling and debriefings for groups, such as businesses near the site of the attack and law enforcement officers.
“Debriefings can be provided to a group of people who were in the area, especially those businesses along Highway 80 or law enforcement officers,” Ramirez said.
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“We just want to help them process what they heard and what they saw, and if they’re needing ongoing support besides these next few weeks, we can also provide that.”
What is the Family Resiliency Center?
The Family Resiliency Center first opened in 2019 after the mass shooting in Odessa. Since then, it has shifted roles based on what residents need.
It reopened after the June 12 shooting in Midland to help people grapple with the emotional and practical fallout of the attack.
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Ramirez stressed that the center’s services are not limited to those who were physically present at the attack.
“Anyone, whether they were directly affected from the event or maybe just affected from hearing about it or seeing it on social media, family members of victims, or family members and individuals who have been involved in attacks similar to this,” she said. “Right now, we are open to anyone and everyone needing this assistance.”
The Family Resiliency Center will be open for at least two weeks, but its services may be extended depending on the community need.
Signs of a mental health crisis
Many of the needs surfacing in the days after the shooting are rooted in mental health, Ramirez said.
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“A tragedy can affect people in many different ways,” Ramirez said.
“They can be feeling anxiousness, fear, on edge, losing sleep, sleeping too much, or having nightmares.”
People may also have trouble concentrating, may feel overwhelmed or even feel numb to their surroundings.
Ramirez said these mental health needs can sometimes manifest physically, such as headaches, stomachaches and not feeling physically well.
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Those affected by the shooting may replay the events in their head, feel on edge, constantly check social media updates, feel unsafe or be scared or irritated by small noises.
They may also begin to avoid certain areas or driving, which could stem from fear after the shooting, Ramirez said.
“If you’re not feeling your normal self, come talk to us,” she said.
According to PermiaCare, a mental health crisis can include:
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Having thoughts of killing yourself or others
Feeling like you can no longer deal with life
Being at risk of harming yourself or others
Seeing or hearing things others are not
Feeling like people are out to get you
Using drugs or alcohol
Disasters can bring about significant stress, especially for people who have experienced a previous disaster or trauma. Common responses to difficult situations include:
Feeling physically and mentally drained
Having difficulty making decisions or staying focused
Becoming frustrated more easily or more often
Arguing more with family and friends
Hotline and in-person help
PermiaCare’s hotline is usually used for crisis situations, such as a person having suicidal thoughts.
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The hotline connects a person to a trained professional over the phone, and if further assistance is needed, a crisis worker goes to the site to try to de-escalate the situation.
“Right now, our crisis line is being used for anyone, so it doesn’t have to mean that individual is having suicidal thoughts or ideations,” Ramirez said.
“They’re just needing someone to talk to most of the time.”
During the day, the hotline staff is diverting people to the Family Resiliency Center, where they can meet with trained staff face to face. After hours, the crisis line remains available 24/7.
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People who visit the Family Resiliency Center will complete a brief screening for staff to assess their needs.
Ramirez said visitors can give a nickname or alias if they don’t feel comfortable sharing their legal name. Staff will use the provided name for the purpose of services.
Visitors will need to provide a phone number so PermiaCare can continue providing support.
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“All of our services are free,” Ramirez said. “As long as the community continues to have the need, we will be open and providing all the assistance we can.”