Free, Private Support Sessions for East Troublesome Fire Residents
The East Troublesome fire may be contained, but the emotional impact the fire has had on local residents may linger. And for some residents, the true impacts of the fire on their mental well-being may not surface for weeks or months from now. Understanding that everyone manages trauma in their own way, Mind Springs Health is now providing up to five, private sessions for free, thanks to a contribution from the Wildfire Relief Fund.
“Our community is strong and resilient, we’ve seen this first hand from the very first few hours of the East Troublesome Fire,” said Makena Line, Program Director of the Mind Springs Health Granby office. “However, even the strongest among us, our first responders, teachers, community leaders, parents, can be experiencing emotions and feelings that they are not quite sure how to process. After a natural disaster, it’s quite common to have increased anxiety, frustration, anger, or sadness. The trauma of losing a home or property, or even just the visual memories of the fire itself, can impact sleep and . It can help to talk these feelings through with someone, while learning some coping skills.”
Individuals and families in the community can call the Granby Mind Springs Health office at 970.887.2179 to schedule up to five, private virtual sessions. Due to the continued uptick in Covid-19 cases statewide, the sessions will be conducted via video or telephone.
“For some people that have experienced a natural disaster, it helps to talk with fellow community members who have also been impacted,” said Line. “We are also offering free group support sessions every Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.”
The group sessions will be facilitated by Lance Howe, MSW CAC III, and participants do not need to be a Mind Springs Health client to participate. The sessions will be held virtually, via Zoom: Meeting ID:870 892 7734. Participants can also phone in to the sessions at 971.247.1195
Mind Springs Health is the Western Slope’s largest provider of counseling and therapy for mental wellness and assists individuals and families dealing with and recovering from substance abuse and addiction. Covering a 23,000-square mile area in Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Mesa, Moffat, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt and Summit counties, Mind Springs Health offers a continuum of mental health care with crisis response services, 12 offices for outpatient treatment, and West Springs Hospital, the only psychiatric hospital between Denver and Salt Lake City.
