In light of the recent Juneteenth festival shooting, the City of Round Rock is stepping up with critical mental health support for residents in need of assistance. The aftermath of such harrowing events can ripple deeply through a community, and access to mental health resources becomes essential in fostering recovery and resilience.

Round Rock's Crisis Response Unit (CRU), a branch within the city's Fire Department, created in 2022, is on the front lines, offering a guiding hand. They're versed in a mix of crises, dealing with immediate mental health emergencies to the aftershocks of traumatic incidents. "We encourage everyone affected by this tragedy to understand the importance of prioritizing your mental health and take advantage of these resources," Crisis Response Unit Program Manager Annie Burwell told the City of Round Rock's news release. "Together, as a community, we can support each other and begin the process of healing."

To reach out for help, residents can call the CRU directly during extended office hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., starting Sunday, June 16 through Friday, June 21, at 512-218-5501. The team is prepared to take calls, offer support, and schedule in-person appointments when necessary. For those in need of assistance outside these hours, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)'s Disaster Distress Helpline is there 24/7 at 1-800-985-5990, providing services in multiple languages, with options for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL users.

Additional avenues of support are readily available, such as the Crisis Text Line, where people can text HOME to 741741, or the National Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. The Bluebonnet Trails Crisis Hotline also offers its services at 1-800-841-1255. For self-help resources, the National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center (NMVVRC) facilitates an online self-help guide, and for parental guidance, the American Psychological Association has published strategies on managing distress in children after a shooting experience.

The focal point here is clear: mental health care is paramount in the wake of violence and disaster. Round Rock's provision of support and resources is a testament to that fact, working toward healing the wounds left in violence's wake, and aiming to bolster the community's spirit as it recovers from the shadows of tragedy.