Free mental health services offered to victims of Birmingham mass shooting
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — Voices of Black Mothers United is partnering with a local counseling center, JR Moore Associates Counseling and Psychological Services, to help offer free mental health services to those impacted by Saturday night's mass shooting in Five Points South .
"Now these people are traumatized for the rest of their lives. Either shot or a parent having to bury their child and that is not ok," said Sylvia Bennett Stone, the Woodsen Center National Director of Voices of Black Mothers United.
Bennett Stone lost her own daughter to gun violence 20 years ago. She said Saturday night's shooting has left an impact on a lot of people in the community, which is why she is using her platform to help others going through a similar pain by offering mental support to the family members of the four killed and the 17 injured.
"We heard the mayors call for counseling. Dr. Moore and Voices of Black Mothers United decided this would be a good opportunity to extend a hand to these families and say, even if you don't continue this counseling, come and let me help you process this trauma," said Bennett Stone.
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Processing the trauma is where Dr. Jeffrey Moore with JR Moore Associates Counseling and Psychological services steps in.
"We know everybody is processing at different times, different ways, so what we realize is we meet them where they are and we provide them support," said Dr. Jeffrey Moore. "So, we have a wide variety of different therapists, all different nationalities so when they come, they can feel comfortable and be able to process."
Dr. Moore say's following Saturday's shooting, his counseling center is welcoming the families of the victims and those injured with open arms into his counseling center for free.
"It allows us to reach more people and be more effective to people who really need it," said Dr. Moore.
If you are a family member of one of the four victims or was injured in this shooting call (205-703-2020) or reach out to Voices of Black Mothers United (202) 518-6500. Dr. Moore says they have 24-hour services.
