The tragic events that unfolded at Union Station after the Super Bowl have undoubtedly left many of us deeply affected. As a licensed social worker, I wanted to be mindful of the impact such incidents can have on individuals and communities, while also approaching the information with sensitivity and compassion. In this article, I aim to offer resources for support services, highlight small businesses contributing to the cause, and provide guidance on discussing such heartbreaking events with your children.
"What happened to Kansas City on February 14th was an unfortunate trauma that we will feel as a community for much time to come. With that, it is important that we have the resources that we need in order to recover from such events. We may not see the potential side effects of today's events for quite some time, sometimes it doesn’t show itself right away.
For those of you with little kiddos that were in attendance during this event, please be on the lookout for behavior that is abnormal to your child’s typical behavior. Little ones that saw the events of today may not understand what has happened, but their bodies will keep hold of what happened. They may not be able to verbalize what they are feeling or experiencing, but it may be shown through their behavior. For those whose families were directly impacted by today's occurrence, I extend my deepest condolences to you and your families.
This event will impact us all in our own ways. We will all feel “some type of way” following traumatic events.
On this day, I encourage you to hug your loved ones a little bit tighter. Spend more time together. Make more time for yourself to enjoy the life you were given. Make time to read that book you’ve been trying to open, lock the bathroom door and take a bath surrounded by your favorite candles, sing your favorite song as loud as you can, remember to dance in the rain." - Rhiannon Bowles
For those in need of assistance, here is a compilation of local, state, and/or federally funded services. Some services are free to the public, while others may have associated fees. Though not exhaustive, this list covers services in Kansas, Missouri, and nationally.
- Johnson County General Kansas Crisis Line: 913-268-0156
- Johnson County Mental Health: 913-826-4200
- Johnson County Behavioral Health: (913) 268-0156 or text: SHARE to 741-741
- Wyandotte County General Kansas Crisis Line: 913-788-4200
- Wyandotte Behavioral Health Network/PACES: 913-326-4600 or (913) 788-4200
- Kansas City VA: 816-861-4700
- Mental Health America of the Heartland: (913) 281-2221
- For a full list of community mental health centers, visit MentalHealthKC.org
- Missouri’s Access Crisis Intervention Services: 1-888-279-8188
- Youth Violence Prevention Support Line: 816-799-1720
- MO CommCare: 1-888-279-8188
- National Alliance on Mental Illness of GKC: 816-931-0030
- Beacon Mental Health: 816-468-0400 (ask for Caitlyn Violett, Director of Crisis and Access)
- Rediscover/Behavioral Health Urgent Care Clinic: 816-988-2739
- Swope: 888-279-8188
- University Health Behavioral Health: 888-279-8188
- The Missouri Department of Mental Health has a website specifically addressing mass violence & shootings: dmh.mo.gov
- Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
- The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: dial 988 for voice call, text “HELLO” to 741741
- Disaster Distress Helpline: call or text 1-800-985-5990
Unsure how to address the tragic event that occurred in Kansas City after the rally? Click here for some helpful tools to guide you through having open discussions with children about tragic events.
Here are some local businesses with merchandise available to purchase, with proceeds going towards a good cause:
It's essential to foster understanding, empathy, and unity in the face of adversity, and your dedication to providing comfort and assistance is a testament to the positive impact we can all have on each other during times of sorrow.
This article was written in collaboration with Rhiannon Bowles, a local KS resident and Masters of Clinical Mental and Behavioral Health Counseling student at Culver-Stockton College in Missouri.
