Here’s how to find help coping with the church shooting in Grand Blanc

Numerous resources are available for those who need information and assistance
The Red Cross and other organizations are offering help. Mental health and suicide-prevention hotlines are also available
Community leaders say the amount of support in Grand Blanc Township has been ‘remarkably overwhelming’

Sunday’s mass shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, which left at least five people dead, including the shooter, have left many in Michigan and across the country reeling over another incident of “needless violence.”

“We certainly have a crisis of mental health,” said US Sen. Elissa Slotkin on Monday, referencing other recent shootings in Michigan, including last year’s shooting at a Rochester Hills splash pad that injured nine and a thwarted attack in Wayne on CrossPointe Community Church in June.

“This is clearly a mentally ill man, and we just don’t understand the motive. Yet, what we know is that people who were just trying to pray at church were killed in their house of worship, a place that should be a sanctuary and safe, and we need to focus on the community right now and getting them the healing that they need.”

Community leaders in Grand Blanc say the amount of support shown to first responders and families has been “remarkably overwhelming.”

“I am incredibly proud to see how we have all joined together to work to make this better,” said Leigh LaForest, president of the Grand Blanc Chamber of Commerce.

“This is the very first time I’ve ever experienced anything like this, but just to see people from all walks of life coming together to unify and create this feeling of love and acceptance and support … we’re all people just trying to get through life together and the Grand Blanc community has truly stepped up.”

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In the wake of a tragedy, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to find the right resources.

Bridge Michigan created this list to help families and others find ways they can help:

For those in Grand Blanc

The Grand Blanc Township Police Department is asking the public to monitor its Facebook page for updates regarding the incident: https://www.facebook.com/gbtpd

The American Red Cross is helping families reunify with their loved ones in collaboration with local law enforcement and is directing people to call its hotline at 248-705-7352 for assistance.

The Henry Ford Genesys Health Club at 801 Health Park Blvd in Grand Blanc is providing support to victims, families and other affected community members on Monday and Tuesday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

From Wednesday through Friday, support will be available at the Grand Blanc Senior Center at 12632 Pagels Dr, Grand Blanc, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

How to talk about trauma

People respond to incidents of mass violence in different ways, according to Justin Heinze, an educational psychologist focused on adolescent development at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and co-director of the National Center for School Safety.

He said it’s important to “create a space” to have discussions about traumatic events, creating a “bounded” period of time for conversations in order to “normalize people’s feelings” with the goal of returning people to their regular routines.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents and teachers should ask children about what they understand about a tragedy and to prompt them for questions they still may have. The physician group recommends adults “filter information” by avoiding graphic detail, presenting conversations in a way that promotes healthy understanding while still being “frank” about the reality of a situation.

“Not everybody’s going to be ready to talk about this. But some people are,” Heinze said.

The variation in response can be dictated by people’s exposure to mass violence, he said. While someone close to the Oxford High School or Michigan State University communities, which both experienced deadly campus shootings in recent years, may find the events in Grand Blanc “retraumatizing,” others may be less affected.

Heinze said trauma responses in children and adults can both include changes in academic or work performance, losing interest in regular hobbies, increased substance use, fear of public spaces, anxiety, fear and stress.

“There isn’t a set timeline” in how long trauma responses last, Heinze said. “Sometimes it can be days or weeks or even months down the road before people start to really manifest these symptoms.”

In any case, Heinze recommends people reach out to their support networks, like family and friends, or mental health professionals to help deal with “intense feelings that come with trauma.”

Mental health assistance, suicide prevention

If you or someone suspects imminent danger or needs immediate medical attention, call 911.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) asks people dealing with a mental health crisis to reach out to family and friends for support. The organization also offers its services to anyone following a tragedy through the NAMI National HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or by texting “HelpLine” to 62640, available Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

If you are experiencing a suicidal crisis or need mental health support, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available to anyone, offering services by phone, text and online chat around the clock.

For military veterans and their families

The suspected gunman was a former Marine and an Iraq War veteran.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs provides “comprehensive health care services, including access to same-day emergency mental health care, cutting-edge PTSD treatments and more,” a spokesperson told Bridge in an email. The VA operates 44 locations statewide. You can find a directory at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/

The US Department of Defense offers personal support for military veterans and their families, including confidential counseling, health and wellness coaching and financial consultation through Military OneSource and by phone at 800-342-9647.

The Veterans Crisis Line, which is part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, offers specialized support with responders trained in crisis intervention and millitary culture.

Call 988, then press 1
Text 838255
Chat online: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/

The Veterans Crisis Line says to seek immediate help if these crisis signs appear:

Thinking about hurting or killing yourself
Looking for ways to kill yourself
Talking about death, dying, or suicide
Self-destructive behavior, such as drug abuse, risky use of weapons, etc.

The group says other warning signs warrant attention by veterans and their networks:

Appearing sad or depressed most of the time
Hopelessness
Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, or mood swings
Feeling as if there is no reason to live
Feeling excessive guilt, shame, or sense of failure
Rage or anger
Engaging in risky activities without thinking
Increasing alcohol or drug misuse
Losing interest in hobbies, work, or school
Neglecting personal welfare and appearance
Withdrawing from family and friends
Showing violent behavior, like punching a hole in the wall or getting into fights
Giving away prized possessions
Getting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, or writing a will

Earlier this month, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency highlighted September as “Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.” 170 veterans in the state died by suicide in 2022.

“Michigan veterans are dying by suicide at nearly double the rate as the non-veteran population,” said Michigan veterans affairs director Brian L. Love in a statement at the time.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency offers Link2Life as a suicide-prevention resource, offering benefits coordination, emergency assistance and peer support.

The department asks veterans to contact the MVAA’s Michigan Veterans Resource Service Center at 1-800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) to participate.

Bridge Michigan reporter Lauren Gibbons contributed to this report.