The United Way of Connecticut is offering counseling resources to residents in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings and is seeking volunteers to help in that effort.
Residents can access the United Way’s Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services, a mobile crisis line for children and youth, by dialing 211 and then pressing 1 to reach a crisis call specialist who can connect you directly to a mental health clinician in your area.
At the agency’s website, residents can find trauma resources by entering their zip code or town and searching for one of the following terms: Child Guidance, Therapy Referrals, Bereavement Counseling, General Bereavement Support Groups, Post Disaster Mental Health Services, Crime Victim/Witness Counseling, Bereaved Child Support Groups, or Bereaved Parent Support Groups.
Those with expertise in counseling who would like to volunteer can help by contacting the agency. The group is also accepting donations for the United Way of Western Connecticut’s Sandy Hook School Support fund, established in partnership with Newtown Savings Bank, to provide support services to the families and communities that have been affected. Check donations can be mailed to: Sandy Hook School Support Fund, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main St.,, Newtown, CT 06470.
“United Way will be working with a representative group of Newtown community leaders and members to determine how the funds will be used,” the agency says on its website.
