Services for West County Residents Affected by Violence

West County residents experiencing anxiety or other stress reactions to the occurrence of violence in the community can call the Contra Costa Mental Health Access Line at 888-678-7277. Licensed mental health professionals answer this line. Any crisis issues will be discussed during the phone call and appropriate crisis intervention services arranged and delivered the same day. Individuals not in crisis but still in need of supportive mental health services will have their needs discussed and will be referred to appropriate mental health services as indicated. All mental health services will be provided in West County.

Residents in need of services are encouraged to call the Access Line Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. since this is when there is the greatest availability of mental health providers, but the Access Line is answered 24 hours per day, seven days a week and crisis situations are addressed immediately.

In addition, the West Contra Costa Children's Clinic has appointed Ray Neuman to field calls or drop-ins related to children and families who have witnessed the recent violence and who may be experiencing trauma. The clinic address is 303 41st Street in Richmond and Raymond Neuman may be reached at 510-260-5588.

Contra Costa community-based organizations specializing in school-based mental health services are located on campus at Kennedy High in south Richmond and at Peres Elementary in north Richmond. They provide group and one-on-one counseling service to students who are experiencing trauma symptoms.

The West Contra Costa Children's Clinic, in partnership with the West Contra Costa School District, plans to host a meeting at Verde Elementary that will inform parents of the signs and symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Details will be available by calling the West Contra Costa Children's clinic at 510-374-3261.

Link

Coping With a Traumatic Event (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)