On Wednesday, 17 people lost their lives in a senseless act of violence that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. We at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay are saddened and united in grief with those who have been impacted by the shooting.

There are people in our community who have direct connections to the victims and survivors. We encourage anyone who is emotionally impacted by this event to call 2-1-1. We have intervention specialists in our Gateway Contact Center 24 hours a day.  You can speak confidentially, receive emotional support, and also make connections to community resources.

We have been working with local media to spread the word about the 2-1-1 number as a resource. We encourage all our friends and supporters to let people know about 2-1-1 during this difficult time. There are non-profit organizations throughout the state of Florida that answer these calls in their respective communities.

It is normal to feel sorrow and anxiety following such a tragic event.  If you are affected, it is important to take care of yourself.  You may want to reduce your media consumption, spend time with your loved ones, and participate in productive and enjoyable activities to reduce worry and anxiety.

Wishing you a peaceful weekend,

Clara Reynolds
President & CEO
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay