Bringing awareness to the importance of mental health care in times of crisis, Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, assistant secretary for health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, traveled to Colorado Springs, CO, to meet with survivors of the November 2022 nightclub shooting and host a crisis mental health roundtable with healthcare providers in December 2022.
“There is nothing that can be said or done that will turn back the clock to prevent the horrible tragedy at Club Q,” Levine said. “While Colorado Springs has been in our thoughts, we know that thoughts and prayers are not enough. I look forward to a day in the future where gun violence, as well as hate-fueled violence, are unwelcome memories of the past and no longer incite fear amongst LGBTQ+ people, and all people who live in America.”
During the visit, Levine met with healthcare providers for a roundtable discussion on crisis mental health services and the post-trauma need for mental health services following the nightclub shooting. Levine heard from mental healthcare providers about the unmet community psychosocial needs and the challenges of providing care to meet those needs. Providers emphasized a need to promote a survivor care culture in response to traumatic events.
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