Trauma Help Being Offered in CTC Shootings

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December 13, 2012, 6:03 am

People who either witnessed Tuesday's deadly mass shooting at Clackamas Town Center likely haven't been able to process the traumatic event. Health experts say the full impact likely won't hit until 3-4 days after the event.

To help out, Cedar Hills Hospital has set up a series of group session to help people learn about what to expect, and to deal with the emotional problems when they finally arrive.

The Oregon Department of Justice is also offering up expedited refunds for up to 10 individual counseling sessions for people dealing with trauma from the shootings. Below we've posted information about both offers:

Cedar Hills Hospital is facilitating trauma support and education on coping with tragic events like this. Services will be led by Licensed Counselors specializing in trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. For those seeking mental health services, Cedar Hills Hospital will also provide clinical assessments and all services will be provided free of charge.

Trauma education, support, and clinical assessments will be available 3:00 to 5:00 PM on December 13, 14, 17, 19, and 21. All services will be provided at New Hope Community Church by Cedar Hills Hospital staff. Anyone from the community experiencing grief or trauma is welcome to attend. For more information or questions please call Katy Borlaug, Professional Relations Liaison at 503-277-3337.

In this time of crisis Cedar Hills Hospital is committed to being a resource for those in need of behavioral health services. We are thankful to have an opportunity to give back to our community. For more information about Cedar Hills Hospital please call 503-944-5000 or visit www.cedarhillshospital.com.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced Wednesday the Oregon Department of Justice is offering emergency financial compensation to help pay for counseling for people who were at Clackamas Town Center at the time of the Dec. 11 shooting rampage.

The department’s Crime Victims Services Division has set up an expedited assistance process that will help pay for at least 10 counseling sessions for people who were at the scene. A link to the application form is at the division’s Website -- http://www.doj.state.or.us/victims/pages/index.aspx

“It’s hard to imagine the trauma and terror of witnessing a masked gunman indiscriminately firing an automatic weapon through a mall full of holiday shoppers,” Attorney General Rosenblum said. “Our Crime Victims Services Division is well positioned to get people the help they may need.”

The central mission of the Crime Victims Services Division is to reduce the impact of crime on victims’ lives. The division’s Crime Victims Compensation program, created in 1978, helps pay medical and counseling costs associated with violent crime. It can also pay up to $5,000 in funeral costs for homicide victims.

The division receives almost 6,000 applications for help each year. In the 12 months ended Sept. 30, it paid out about $4.5 million. The division gets its money from federal grants and from restitution and fines paid by criminals. It also gets a share of all punitive damages paid by litigants in Oregon courts.

Applicants for the counseling will be contacted by the state. Crime Victims Compensation will generally cover the cost of counseling not paid for by insurance or employers.

Tags: CTC Shooting, therapy, trauma, help, free

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