Crisis response and emotional support resources
Need Someone to Talk To (or know someone who does)?
For those needing additional support, there are several agencies and hotlines offering their services:
1) The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990. The Helpline can provide immediate counseling to anyone who needs help in dealing with the tragic event in Orlando Florida. The Helpline is a 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a natural or man-made disaster or tragedy. The helpline can also be accessed at http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov and TTY for deaf and hearing impaired: 1-800-846-8517.
2) You can also contact the English/Spanish hotline of the New York City Anti-Violence Project at 212-714-1141.
3) The Trevor Project is also providing support at 866-488-7386 and thetrevorproject.org. They are particularly good at working with youth.
Wondering How to Address the Topic with Students?
Your school or district may have specific guidelines to follow after traumatic events. There are also organizations who have developed resources for schools to use in the wake of any crisis:
1) Download the NEA Healthy Futures School Crisis Guide (Parts 2 and 3 will be the most useful)
2) Visit American School Counselor Association website for a comprehensive list of crisis response and mental health resources for educators. There you will find best practices and tools to help your school community respond immediately to the needs of students and continue the healing in the coming weeks and months.
3) Of course, information on LGBT-affirming practices as part of your everyday work is available from GLSEN in our Ready, Set, Respect! (Grades K-5) and Safe Space Kit (Grades 6-12) toolkits, which can be downloaded at glsen.org.
Looking for Community?
Vigils across the country are being held in remembrance of the victims of the shooting and can be found, or submitted, to weareorlando.org. You can also find current information about how best to help those directly impacted by the shooting.