Media Briefing and Resources for Mental Health Support Following the School Shooting in Our Community

posted December 16, 2024 - 5:13pm

The next media briefing is scheduled for today at 5:30 p.m. at Fire Station 14 at 3201 Dairy Drive in their Community Room. This media briefing can also be watched live here. The investigation remains active, and residents are urged to avoid the area. Roads near 4900 Buckeye Road will remain blocked, and drivers are advised to use alternate routes if travel in the vicinity is necessary. Updates on the Abundant Life Christian School shooting will be available on the Police Incident Reports.

Parents and loved ones of students at the school should proceed to the SSM/Dean Health Clinic at 1821 S. Stoughton Road for reunification. Community members are asked to not show up to this location unless they are picking up a student. The reunification process will take some time, please be patient.

The following list of resources, including mental health support and assistance for those affected by this tragedy, is provided in the City of Madison's Statement on Abundant Life School Shooting.

2-1-1 Wisconsin: Call 2-1-1 for free and confidential information about the mental and physical healthcare, housing, food and emergency services available in your area. Resource specialists are available 24/7/365. For an online alternative, visit findhelp.org.
9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call 9-8-8, text 9-8-8, or click here to access the online chat to connect with a crisis counselor. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7/365 in the United States.
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to connect with counselors in 100+ languages. Operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this helpline is available 24/7/365 to provide crisis counseling at no cost for people experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster (including mass shootings).
VictimConnect Resource Center: Call or text 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846) or send a message through an online chat Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Dial 711 and VictimConnect staff can provide services through an interpreter in more than 200 languages and to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. VictimConnect offers confidential assistance to victims of crime through trained specialists who are available to help you locate services in your area, including mental health counseling, legal services, and more.

The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County is hosting a candlelight vigil tomorrow evening (Tuesday December 17) at 6 pm at the Vel Phillips statue on Capitol Square.