The tragic shootings in Tumbler Ridge are being felt by everyone in the community. Experts say that mental health services will be needed beyond the immediate aftermath of Tuesday’s horrific events.
School District 59 has cancelled classes at both the secondary and elementary schools in Tumbler Ridge for rest of the week. The school district says it will make supports available once they have the locations for where those supports will be. The district will post that information on social media when it is available.
Northern Lights College has also closed its Tumbler Ridge campus for the remainder of the week. “Our thoughts are with the families and the community of Tumbler Ridge at this time,” the college posted on social media.
Experts say the most common reactions after mass shootings are fear, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms.
Northern Health says their hearts are with the community of Tumbler Ridge following Tuesday’s tragic events. The health authority says they recognize that many people may be feeling shocked, overwhelmed, or distressed, and want residents to know that mental health supports are available and accessible to anyone who needs them.
Drop-in appointments with mental health clinicians are now available at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre for anyone seeking support. To help ensure access, Health Centre hours have been extended for the remainder of this week. Beginning Wednesday, the health centre is open daily from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm. Updates on future hours of operation will be coming soon.
A range of mental health and psychosocial supports are being made available through Northern Health and partner organizations. In addition to more Northern Health mental health clinicians being deployed to the community, the local school district, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) are mobilizing additional supports to travel to and support Tumbler Ridge.
The school district has created space at the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre (340 Front Street in Tumbler Ridge) for the school community to come together over the next few days and as needed, and all are welcome to attend and connect with mental health professionals in that space as well (school district counselors and other mental health clinicians from various partner agencies including Northern Health).
Northern Health is ensuring that the dedicated staff in Tumbler Ridge are supported. Additional staff are being deployed to the community to ensure coverage for Health Centre services and that local staff have the support and rest they may need. We are assessing health centre and mental health support needs on an ongoing basis and working to put the necessary supports in place.
The health authority has implemented NH Connections travel support in the Tumbler Ridge area, with a free shuttle traveling between Tumbler Ridge and Dawson Creek (via Chetwynd) for anyone needing support traveling between those communities in the coming weeks.
Northern Health says it will continue to work closely the Ministries of Health, Education, and Children and Family Development, along with school district and community service provider partners, to ensure coordination of on-the-ground resources to support youth, their families and the broader community.
If you are struggling, please know that support is available. Mental health supports and resources are also available through a variety of options:
- BC’s Mental Health Line at 310‑6789
- 9‑8‑8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (call or text)
- Bereavement and Grief Support Line 1-877-779-2223
- Kid’s Help Phone, available by texting CONNECT to 686868
- KUU‑US Crisis Response Service at 1‑800‑588‑8717 for culturally aware support for Indigenous peoples
- Northern Health virtual and community mental health