Dear editor:

Turning Point recognizes the importance of mental wellness during emergencies.

A common refrain expressed these days is that one cannot open a newspaper or turn on the television without coming across bad news.

For example, in the local area alone we have experienced a number of extreme weather events this year that caused horrific damage and claimed several lives.

Worldwide the reports of violence that come across the ticker on a daily basis only seem to grow. In particular, with all of the recent tragedies involving an active shooter situation, last month’s drill conducted at Colquitt County High School by the Sheriff’s Office and Moultrie Police Department to contend with such a threat provided a sobering reminder of the need for constant preparation for and proper reactions to all types of emergencies.

The drill at the high school, as previously reported by The Observer, allowed local law enforcement officers to practice scenarios for managing an active shooter and hostage situation. In addition, a number of medical professionals and emergency management personnel were on hand to assist law enforcement. Among these were mental health professionals from Turning Point Care Center, a behavioral health hospital in Moultrie.

For the volunteers from Turning Point, the drill underscored the importance that mental health professionals can play in crises of any kind.

Mental health professionals often play a vital role during times of emergencies. They assess the mental state of those affected to determine their psychiatric needs and then formulate treatment plans to best meet those needs on an immediate and long-term basis. In a situation like the drill conducted at the high school, mental health professionals can collaborate with emergency response teams to offer insight into the mental status of the perpetrators.

This collaboration gives the emergency response team a set of best approaches to employ when negotiating and thereby increases the chances of bringing about a peaceful resolution.

Although the drill at the high school represented a worst case scenario that will hopefully never come to pass, the lessons that it imparted on the importance of mental wellness during times of emergency are ones that participants from Turning Point believe should be remembered at all times.

No matter the emergency or the bad news, those affected, whether directly or indirectly, should feel neither shame nor hesitation in seeking help by connecting with family, friends, and neighbors. Another great strategy is to reach out to a mental health professional. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) maintains a 24/7 hotline for those affected by disasters such as extreme weather events or incidents of mass violence. The hotline is staffed by trained counselors and can be accessed at any time by dialing 1-800-985-5990. Finally, within Moultrie there are a number of outstanding resources for those in need of help due to emergencies or other stressors. These include, but are not limited to, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Georgia Pines mental health clinic, several local mental health professionals in private practice, and, most importantly of all, the community itself. Jon Parris, one of the Turning Point mental health professionals who took part in the drill at the high school, said that the degree of participation from people in the community proves that “Moultrie values the mental health and emotional well-being of individuals impacted by crisis.” In the end, no matter the headline or the disaster, having a strong and united community is perhaps the best answer to an emergency of any kind.

Jay Desselle

Turning Point, Moultrie