Community Urged to Reach Out for Support During This Time of Tragedy
Monday night’s events were an absolute living nightmare for thousands of people across the Greater Lansing region who lived through the mass shooting on the Michigan State University campus. The magnitude of grief, loss and heartbreak after the three deaths and five severe injuries of MSU students is being felt for miles. Times of the utmost sadness are when many neighbors come together and see what the word “community” really means.
Here are some resources to help whether you’re looking for a meal, someone to talk to, a hug or an opportunity to mourn together. Read on to find out what therapists, nature centers, local businesses and faith communities are offering to you and others.
Note: This story will be updated as more resources and information become available.
Church services & gatherings:
Tonight (Tues., Feb. 14) at 7 p.m., the Edgewood United Church, UCC and Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing are hosting a prayer service at Edgewood Church, 469 N. Hagadorn Road. All members of the MSU and East Lansing community are invited to gather for a communal lament, song and silence to help process last night’s trauma. The spiritual space welcomes all sexualities, genders, nationalities, races, ages and abilities. There will be an ASL interpretation in-person and online streaming available.
Edgewood United Church Pastor Liz Miller spoke to ELi and said she’s seeing a great deal of community support for one another right now, amidst the tragedy.
“What I’m seeing is people working together to hold space to hold people to gather informally, for conversations, to have safe spaces where they can meet one another to process their feelings,” Miller said. “I’m seeing that happen in our small businesses and in our faith congregations across campus.”
Tonight’s event is “for the community and anyone looking for a space to mourn, to be in silence, to sing, to just feel a comforting presence in the community and know that they are not alone,” Miller said.
As another senseless act of violence permeates an otherwise creative, bright setting such as the MSU campus, many are left sharing the notion for gun policy reform and change over thoughts and prayers. Miller said both are necessary.
“In our congregation, we come together to pray because that mobilizes us and moves us towards action and change,” she said. “We’re a congregation that really believes in the work of justice and peacemaking in our community, and we’ll move from prayer to advocating for gun reform and stronger laws in Michigan and federally. That’s work that we do on an ongoing basis and, for us, these times of community gathering and comfort is where we find our strength and resilience to continue that justice work out in the community.”
Miller encourages all people to attend, even without a formal faith tradition, because community gatherings create power.
“There is power when people gather together and name what they are feeling. That gives us the language for why this matters, why advocacy is important and why change is important,” she said. “That’s what I hear anytime we gather as a community and hold space for one another. We are reminded of the stories and the impact that this violence has. And we are mobilized for change.”
Also tonight (Tues., Feb. 14), the Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Lansing (1315 Abbott Road) is holding a prayer vigil this evening at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m., the Peoples Church, 200 W. Grand River Avenue, will host an interfaith service across all religions represented in the wider community.
Miller said other institutions are holding office hours and keeping their buildings open for anyone who just needs a sacred, quiet space to come and connect with someone who can help them process.
Counseling, therapy, mental health services:
Although it seems unfathomable and incomprehensible, processing grief, trauma and tragedy is necessary. Here are some local counseling, support and mental health resources.
Dr. Stephanie Beltz, a psychologist in Haslett, spoke to ELi and provides some insight and tips for those unsure where to start.
“It’s critical that we offer continued support to the victims and their families, as well as all MSU students, faculty, staff and the Greater Lansing community following the tragic events of last night,” Dr. Beltz said. “This means acknowledging the wide array of trauma reactions and grief that those affected are experiencing, and realizing that the community will need time and space to process and heal.”
Dr. Beltz said the following are common behavioral reactions: shock, anger, sadness, fear, numbness, detachment from oneself, hypervigilance, guilt or hopelessness, lack of appetite or overeating, fatigue, crying, difficulty sleeping or waking, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
“It’s important to know that all reactions are normal and seeking help is a healthy response to trauma,” she said.
Dr. Beltz and mental health professionals strongly recommend connecting with others, like friends, family, community groups, spiritual leaders or psychotherapists.
“This is also a time to engage in self-care, such as ordering a meal, taking a shower, exercising and getting adequate rest.” she said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, please call 911 or text 988 (National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline).
Counselors at Therapy Today Counseling & Consulting (4572 S. Hagadorn Road, Suite 1C)
have added additional appointment times for anyone in need of support. Same-day, in-person, and telehealth appointments are available.
Leslie Auld, director and psychotherapist at Therapy Today, said in a press release, “This affects everyone. The community is hurting and we’re here to help. We’re here and we care. If we can’t help you right away, we will help you find other resources that can.”
The office can be reached via phone at 517-481-2133 or via email: hello@therapytodaycc.com
Jenny Bishop, a 2016 MSU graduate and LMSW Bishop, said many people remain in “crisis mode” for too long. The fight, flight or freeze mode often renders us unable to think clearly. Being forgetful, having a “shorter fuse,” zoning out, or feeling mentally and physically exhausted are typical natural reactions to stress.
Bishop reiterates it is important to not remain in survival mode for too long.
“Most importantly, be kind to yourself,” Bishop said. “You are going through so much. To process your own feelings is a lot and, in this instance, everyone around you and the community at large is processing. I highly recommend taking the damn nap if you need one, a break from social media, getting your favorite comfort foods, reaching out to loved ones and seeking mental health services.
“There are over 175 therapists in the state of Michigan ready to assist and many willing to offer free or reduced cost,” Bishop said. “Our community has suffered an inexplicable tragedy that no one should ever have to go through on any level. Despite us not having a choice in experiencing this trauma, our community has chosen to come together and wrap our arms around whoever is in need.”
Many of us are feeling sick to our stomachs, heartbroken and helpless. We need to say it. If you are in need of someone to talk to, MSU is a proud partner of ThrivingCampus. The online platform makes it easier to connect students with off-campus mental health care and well-being services. Students can visit the website, email at eap@msu.edu, or call 517-355-4506 for assistance.
MSU is offering several reflect and connect sessions for faculty, staff and graduate students. The intent of the sessions is to come together as Spartans, and provide the framework for grounding and navigating a wide range of emotions. Resources, practices and self-care strategies will be provided and facilitated by Lisa Laughman, coordinator, Spartan Resilience Training Program via zoom meetings.
Spring Forest Counseling (3899 Okemos Road, Suite A1) is opening their doors for anyone who needs to collect their thoughts off-campus. Several professional providers are available to talk, process and keep students company. Services can be billed to insurance, but many are also providing their services pro bono.
Other Acts of Kindness & Unique Support:
It’s not just therapists or counselors doing what they can to help. Local businesses are also stepping up to do what they can for the good of the community. One post in a popular Lansing Foodies facebook page from an MSU student who lives off-campus and is “really shaken up,” has received nearly 200 comments and suggestions. People are sharing local restaurants offering free coffee and comfort food to students, staff and first-responders.
Foster Coffee Company posted on social media their devastation for families and friends impacted by last nights’ tragedy, which occurred just a short walk from their cafe. They are open today and offering free drip coffee for anyone looking to connect, console or sit in silence.
Strange Matter Coffee is providing a free cup of drip coffee and a donut for any MSU students and first responders today.
Solara Wellness posted online, sending love, light and prayers to the Lansing community. They are offering complimentary healing, via Trauma/PTSD-focused acupuncture this week. Those interested can call ahead for available times at 517-388-1507.
Yoga Connect is offering free yoga practice tonight (Feb. 14) in Lansing and tomorrow (Feb. 15) in Haslett to help work through emotions. Those interested can pre-register on their website.
Constellation Cat Cafe went to Facebook to share their love for MSU students as well. They are providing free cat room sessions for MSU students Wednesday through Friday. They also shared local artist The Sadsquatch’s donation fundraiser to buy coffee for students this week. At time of press, the online facebook fundraiser has already raised $995.
Ingham County Parks is waiving all parking fees (now through Sunday, Feb. 19) for their parks to anyone in need of fresh air and deep breaths.
Fenner Nature Center is open to MSU neighbors, students and friends for reflection time in the park. They’ll also have luminary bags and markers to decorate with words or sketches in remembrance and support. Fenner’s staff and board of directors will light the luminaries along the Mount Hope Avenue Fence tonight at 8:13 p.m. in a Light the Night for MSU event.
The Holiday Inn Express Okemos is offering hotel rooms to students/parents directly impacted by the tragedy. To anyone who cannot get home or wants a warm, safe place to get some rest, they are encouraged to reach out to Taylor Brehm at the hotel.
Helplines:
MSU has shared a confidential, crisis counseling helpline (available 24/7): 517-355-8270 and press 1 at the prompt.
Hannah Center (819 Abbot Road) is acting as a “hub” for counseling and support, and is open until 9 p.m.
Community Mental Health: 517-346-8460
Disaster Distress Helpline (available 24/7): 800-985-5990
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (available 24/7): 800-273-8255
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) warmline (available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.): 888-733-7753
No act of support is too small
The thing about help is there’s truly no act that’s too small. You might think, ‘it’s not much,” but to the person on the receiving end, it can mean everything. Even the smallest of gestures can have life-altering impacts.
Here’s where we learn what that buzzword “community” really means. Remember to breathe. Remember to allow room to grieve and feel. Remember to be kind. We are all processing. We are all Spartans now.