Support for Allen resources
MENTAL HEALTH/TRAUMA
If you are experiencing grief, or trauma, or would like to speak to someone, the following are resources available to assist. For emergencies, please call 911.
Victim Services Help Line – The City of Allen has opened a Help Line to assist our community during this difficult time. It is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can be reached by calling 214.509.4444. Translation services are available for those who do not speak English. The Help Line is a way to refer victims to the appropriate services, whether it is counseling services or financial assistance. You can also email helpline@cityofallen.org if you do not want to call.
LifePathSystems – For those living in Collin County, LifePath Systems’ Crisis Hotline (877-422-5939) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained behavioral health professionals are standing by to assist, and this service is available to all adults and children living in Collin County, regardless of insurance or income status. To learn more about LifePath System’s programs and services, click here.
The Center for Integrative Counseling & Psychology provides counseling and assessments for children, teens, and adults at locations across North and Central Texas. One-on-one counseling (also known as therapy or psychotherapy) is available with experienced professionals who are trustworthy, compassionate, and here to help you figure out the next right step. For clients who are unable or who have a concern about coming to the office for counseling, tele-counseling is available using your phone or electronic device. Please call The Center’s Client Services team at 214-526-4525 to schedule an appointment or click here to learn more.
Grant Halliburton Foundation Texas Navigation Line – Developed by the Grant Halliburton Foundation, The Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line is a free helpline offering guidance, information, resources, and support for mental health and addiction. Callers will be connected to a trained mental health navigator who can offer support and information about services and resources in their area. These are trained volunteers who will gather pertinent information from the caller regarding their needs. Then, they will forward the information to an experienced mental health professional who will help to identify specific resources tailored to the caller’s needs. You can call 972-525-8181, Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mental Health America of Greater Dallas (MHA – Greater Dallas) If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available:
- Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Available 24 hours, conversations are free and confidential.
- Text MHA to 741741 to reach the MHA National Crisis Text Line.
- Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to reach the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline. Trained crisis workers will listen to you and direct you to the resources you need.
- Visit MHA National/Coping to learn more about coping with disaster.
The Disaster Distress Helpline, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is a national hotline dedicated to year-round disaster crisis counseling. This 24/7 toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available to residents in the United States and its territories experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters, including incidents of mass violence. Call or text the hotline at 800-985-5990.
Watershed/Lifeologie Counseling Group – This is a group of 30 therapists offering limited pro-bono counseling for those impacted by this shooting. Their associated nonprofit will help to cover additional costs for therapy as well.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Mental Health Therapist Directories:
PREVENTION RESOURCES
In addition to local resources to support victims impacted by this tragedy, community members may also be searching for ways to understand how to get involved and help prevent future tragedies.
The following are national and state organizations that are focused on understanding the causes behind gun violence, as well as developing non-partisan, evidence-based policies and practices to advance public safety, reducing incidents of gun violence across all communities.
The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) – MMHPI provides independent, nonpartisan, data-driven, and trusted policy and program guidance that creates equitable systemic changes so all Texans can obtain effective, efficient behavioral health care when and where they need it. The Meadows Institute grew out of The Meadows Foundation’s unyielding concern for the people of Texas.
In 2014, The Meadows Foundation established the Meadows Institute as an independent nonprofit organization. With offices in Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, and projects in every region of the state, the Meadows Institute has become Texas’s most trusted source for results-oriented information and analysis of effective and efficient mental health policy and programs. The Meadows Institute works at the state, regional, and local levels to help mental health systems improve, share best practices, develop resources, and increase public awareness of the most effective ways to treat mental illness and help people recover.
Since its founding, the Meadows Institute has worked with funders and partners to bring profound, much-needed change to Texas. From revolutionary new smart justice programs in North Texas, to in-depth assessments and plans to improve care for children in Texas communities, to working with schools to elevate the ways they can work with parents to support students, the Meadows Institute has helped shape policy and practice from the state level down to the smallest towns and communities.
Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL) – CPAL launched in 2018 out of the Dallas Mayor’s Office to tackle child poverty as Dallas’ North Star. CPAL’s services as a “think and do tank” center on open-source data tools democratizing data to improve service coordination, strategic project design and management to surface and scale effective practices, and system and neighborhood capacity-building.
Adapted to context and ongoing learning, CPAL’s services help make programs across Dallas County more data-driven and connected in advancing the regional child poverty North Star. CPAL orients its services around six evidence-based Big Bets: Benefits Delivery; Maternal Health & Family Planning; Birth-3 Care; Affordable Housing; Criminal Justice and Incarceration; and Trauma Prevention and Public Safety domains. An additional cross-cutting focus on place-based neighborhood investment reinforces CPAL’s emphases on brokering productive project relationships and on strengthening enabling conditions for economic mobility in place.
Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions – The Center conducts rigorous research and uses advocacy to implement evidence-based, equitable policies and programs aimed at preventing gun violence in our communities.
Everytown for Gun Safety – Everytown for Gun Safety seeks to improve our understanding of the causes of gun violence and help to reduce it by conducting groundbreaking original research, developing evidence-based policies, communicating this knowledge to the American public, and advancing gun safety and gun violence prevention in communities and courts. Everytown for Gun Safety focuses on reform in four main areas: background checks, domestic violence, preventable deaths, and gun trafficking.
Additionally, Moms Demand Action, a grassroots, volunteer-led movement that advocates for public safety measures to reduce the effect of gun violence, is associated with Everytown.
Gifford’s Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence – Gifford’s mission is to educate the public about the state of gun violence and propose solutions that increase the safety of communities by encouraging personal responsibility and common-sense policies. This is an organization founded and led by former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords after she was shot at a constituent event where six people were killed and 12 were injured.
Texas Gun Sense – Texas Gun Sense is a statewide nonprofit and nonpartisan organization advocating for common sense, evidence-based policies to reduce gun injuries and deaths.
RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS, SURVIVORS, AND FAMILIES
Applications are now available for the legal heir of the deceased and those wounded for the location-specific Allen mass shooting Victims’ Fund.
Survivors who were in the line of fire, not wounded and in need of emergency financial assistance may apply through the Victims First National Mass Shooting Victims Fund.
SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
Incidents like the tragedy in Allen can impact children and youth, even by seeing or hearing about it on TV, social media, or from peers. The following are resources to help parents and caregivers support children of all ages with resources.
Victim Services Help Line – The City of Allen has opened a Help Line to assist our community during this difficult time. It is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can be reached by calling 214.509.4444. Translation services are available for those who do not speak English. The Help Line is a way to refer victims to the appropriate services, whether it is counseling services or financial assistance. You can also email helpline@cityofallen.org if you do not want to call.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network – The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides parents and caregivers with resources available in English and Spanish to help children and teenagers recover from traumatic events. The more caregivers learn about how traumatic events affect their children (whether toddler, school-age, teen, youth, or adult), the more they understand the reasons for their children’s behaviors and emotions, and the better prepared they are to help them cope and recover.
- [PDF]: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
- [PDF]: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: For Teens, Coping after Mass Violence
- [PDF]: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting
Allen Counseling Associates – Michelle Nietert is a nationally published author and speaker, as well as a former crisis counselor for Allen ISD. She has been a licensed therapist for over 25 years, and created online resources for the Nashville community. For more information, please visit the Community Counseling Associates website.
Grant Halliburton Foundation Texas Navigation Line – Developed by the Grant Halliburton Foundation, The Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line is a free helpline offering guidance, information, resources, and support for mental health and addiction. Callers will be connected to a trained mental health navigator who can offer support and information about services and resources in their area. These are trained volunteers who will gather pertinent information from the caller regarding their needs. Then, they will forward the information to an experienced mental health professional who will help to identify specific resources tailored to the caller’s needs. You can call 972-525-8181, Monday–Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
AAKOMA Project – The AAKOMA Project is offering five free virtual therapy sessions with culturally competent providers nationwide for youth ages 12-30 years old who have never been to therapy before.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Mental Health Therapist Directories:
WAYS TO HELP
One of the best ways to help victims of any tragedy is to donate much needed-blood and plasma. O-negative, the universal blood type, is the most-used blood type in emergencies by first responders, although all blood types are needed and will be sent to all area hospitals aiding victims.
Set up an appointment at a local Carter Blood Care Center or Red Cross Donation Center, or donate to either financially.
If you are experiencing grief, or trauma, or would like to speak to someone, the following are resources available to assist. For emergencies, please call 911.
Victim Services Help Line – The City of Allen has opened a Help Line to assist our community during this difficult time. It is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can be reached by calling 214.509.4444. Translation services are available for those who do not speak English. The Help Line is a way to refer victims to the appropriate services, whether it is counseling services or financial assistance. You can also email helpline@cityofallen.org if you do not want to call.
LifePathSystems – For those living in Collin County, LifePath Systems’ Crisis Hotline (877-422-5939) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained behavioral health professionals are standing by to assist, and this service is available to all adults and children living in Collin County, regardless of insurance or income status. To learn more about LifePath System’s programs and services, click here.
The Center for Integrative Counseling & Psychology provides counseling and assessments for children, teens, and adults at locations across North and Central Texas. One-on-one counseling (also known as therapy or psychotherapy) is available with experienced professionals who are trustworthy, compassionate, and here to help you figure out the next right step. For clients who are unable or who have a concern about coming to the office for counseling, tele-counseling is available using your phone or electronic device. Please call The Center’s Client Services team at 214-526-4525 to schedule an appointment or click here to learn more.
Grant Halliburton Foundation Texas Navigation Line – Developed by the Grant Halliburton Foundation, The Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line is a free helpline offering guidance, information, resources, and support for mental health and addiction. Callers will be connected to a trained mental health navigator who can offer support and information about services and resources in their area. These are trained volunteers who will gather pertinent information from the caller regarding their needs. Then, they will forward the information to an experienced mental health professional who will help to identify specific resources tailored to the caller’s needs. You can call 972-525-8181, Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mental Health America of Greater Dallas (MHA – Greater Dallas) If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available:
- Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Available 24 hours, conversations are free and confidential.
- Text MHA to 741741 to reach the MHA National Crisis Text Line.
- Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to reach the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline. Trained crisis workers will listen to you and direct you to the resources you need.
- Visit MHA National/Coping to learn more about coping with disaster.
The Disaster Distress Helpline, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is a national hotline dedicated to year-round disaster crisis counseling. This 24/7 toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available to residents in the United States and its territories experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters, including incidents of mass violence. Call or text the hotline at 800-985-5990.
Watershed/Lifeologie Counseling Group – This is a group of 30 therapists offering limited pro-bono counseling for those impacted by this shooting. Their associated nonprofit will help to cover additional costs for therapy as well.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Mental Health Therapist Directories:
In addition to local resources to support victims impacted by this tragedy, community members may also be searching for ways to understand how to get involved and help prevent future tragedies.
The following are national and state organizations that are focused on understanding the causes behind gun violence, as well as developing non-partisan, evidence-based policies and practices to advance public safety, reducing incidents of gun violence across all communities.
The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) – MMHPI provides independent, nonpartisan, data-driven, and trusted policy and program guidance that creates equitable systemic changes so all Texans can obtain effective, efficient behavioral health care when and where they need it. The Meadows Institute grew out of The Meadows Foundation’s unyielding concern for the people of Texas.
In 2014, The Meadows Foundation established the Meadows Institute as an independent nonprofit organization. With offices in Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, and projects in every region of the state, the Meadows Institute has become Texas’s most trusted source for results-oriented information and analysis of effective and efficient mental health policy and programs. The Meadows Institute works at the state, regional, and local levels to help mental health systems improve, share best practices, develop resources, and increase public awareness of the most effective ways to treat mental illness and help people recover.
Since its founding, the Meadows Institute has worked with funders and partners to bring profound, much-needed change to Texas. From revolutionary new smart justice programs in North Texas, to in-depth assessments and plans to improve care for children in Texas communities, to working with schools to elevate the ways they can work with parents to support students, the Meadows Institute has helped shape policy and practice from the state level down to the smallest towns and communities.
Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL) – CPAL launched in 2018 out of the Dallas Mayor’s Office to tackle child poverty as Dallas’ North Star. CPAL’s services as a “think and do tank” center on open-source data tools democratizing data to improve service coordination, strategic project design and management to surface and scale effective practices, and system and neighborhood capacity-building.
Adapted to context and ongoing learning, CPAL’s services help make programs across Dallas County more data-driven and connected in advancing the regional child poverty North Star. CPAL orients its services around six evidence-based Big Bets: Benefits Delivery; Maternal Health & Family Planning; Birth-3 Care; Affordable Housing; Criminal Justice and Incarceration; and Trauma Prevention and Public Safety domains. An additional cross-cutting focus on place-based neighborhood investment reinforces CPAL’s emphases on brokering productive project relationships and on strengthening enabling conditions for economic mobility in place.
Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions – The Center conducts rigorous research and uses advocacy to implement evidence-based, equitable policies and programs aimed at preventing gun violence in our communities.
Everytown for Gun Safety – Everytown for Gun Safety seeks to improve our understanding of the causes of gun violence and help to reduce it by conducting groundbreaking original research, developing evidence-based policies, communicating this knowledge to the American public, and advancing gun safety and gun violence prevention in communities and courts. Everytown for Gun Safety focuses on reform in four main areas: background checks, domestic violence, preventable deaths, and gun trafficking.
Additionally, Moms Demand Action, a grassroots, volunteer-led movement that advocates for public safety measures to reduce the effect of gun violence, is associated with Everytown.
Gifford’s Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence – Gifford’s mission is to educate the public about the state of gun violence and propose solutions that increase the safety of communities by encouraging personal responsibility and common-sense policies. This is an organization founded and led by former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords after she was shot at a constituent event where six people were killed and 12 were injured.
Texas Gun Sense – Texas Gun Sense is a statewide nonprofit and nonpartisan organization advocating for common sense, evidence-based policies to reduce gun injuries and deaths.
Applications are now available for the legal heir of the deceased and those wounded for the location-specific Allen mass shooting Victims’ Fund.
Survivors who were in the line of fire, not wounded and in need of emergency financial assistance may apply through the Victims First National Mass Shooting Victims Fund.
Incidents like the tragedy in Allen can impact children and youth, even by seeing or hearing about it on TV, social media, or from peers. The following are resources to help parents and caregivers support children of all ages with resources.
Victim Services Help Line – The City of Allen has opened a Help Line to assist our community during this difficult time. It is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can be reached by calling 214.509.4444. Translation services are available for those who do not speak English. The Help Line is a way to refer victims to the appropriate services, whether it is counseling services or financial assistance. You can also email helpline@cityofallen.org if you do not want to call.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network – The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides parents and caregivers with resources available in English and Spanish to help children and teenagers recover from traumatic events. The more caregivers learn about how traumatic events affect their children (whether toddler, school-age, teen, youth, or adult), the more they understand the reasons for their children’s behaviors and emotions, and the better prepared they are to help them cope and recover.
- [PDF]: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
- [PDF]: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: For Teens, Coping after Mass Violence
- [PDF]: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting
Allen Counseling Associates – Michelle Nietert is a nationally published author and speaker, as well as a former crisis counselor for Allen ISD. She has been a licensed therapist for over 25 years, and created online resources for the Nashville community. For more information, please visit the Community Counseling Associates website.
Grant Halliburton Foundation Texas Navigation Line – Developed by the Grant Halliburton Foundation, The Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line is a free helpline offering guidance, information, resources, and support for mental health and addiction. Callers will be connected to a trained mental health navigator who can offer support and information about services and resources in their area. These are trained volunteers who will gather pertinent information from the caller regarding their needs. Then, they will forward the information to an experienced mental health professional who will help to identify specific resources tailored to the caller’s needs. You can call 972-525-8181, Monday–Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
AAKOMA Project – The AAKOMA Project is offering five free virtual therapy sessions with culturally competent providers nationwide for youth ages 12-30 years old who have never been to therapy before.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Mental Health Therapist Directories:
One of the best ways to help victims of any tragedy is to donate much needed-blood and plasma. O-negative, the universal blood type, is the most-used blood type in emergencies by first responders, although all blood types are needed and will be sent to all area hospitals aiding victims.
Set up an appointment at a local Carter Blood Care Center or Red Cross Donation Center, or donate to either financially.