Mental health providers say they are available to provide support to Toppenish area community members in the wake of a shooting that left four young people dead on Thursday.
A shooting in Toppenish ended with three dead, one critically injured and a 19-year-old suspect dead by suicide on Thursday, according to Toppenish police. The victims ranged in age from 13 to 21.
Toppenish police are still investigating and called the incident tragic and senseless. The tight-knit community of almost 9,000 is the largest city on the Yakama Reservation.
For community members across the Yakima Valley who may be reeling from the loss, there are a variety of mental health services and resources available.
“It’s a terrible, tragic situation,” said Toppenish School District Acting Superintendent Shawn Myers. “At this time, we’re just trying to make sure everyone is OK.”
Myers said staff at Toppenish Middle School are focused on communicating with parents and making resources accessible after learning that one of the victims was 13 years old.
“As kids are experiencing loss and grief, they can speak to counselors,” Myers said.
He noted that there were multiple counselors on the middle school’s campus and that the school had set up a mental health station that students could stop at if they needed support.
Myers added that the school district works with Educational Service District 105, Yakima Valley Farm Workers’ Clinic and Yakama Nation Behavioral Health Services to provide mental health services for students who might need more care.
School staff are communicating closely with parents, as well, Myers said.
“We’re doing our best to help (students),” Myers said. “As they get home at night or on the weekend, they might be going through a tough time.”
There are also mental health services outside of schools.
“It’s normal for people to experience stress after experiencing tragedy in the community,” said Anthony Paul, mental health supervisor resident at Triumph Treatment Services.
Triumph is one of several service providers that offers mental health resources.
“I’m hopeful that people reach out,” Paul said. “And don’t carry this tragedy around with them.”
Early access to mental health services can prevent long term mental health issues, Paul said, emphasizing the importance of reaching out quickly.
Renee Kollman, director of external affairs at Triumph, noted that incidents can affect people across the community, even those who might not be directly involved, and urged people to reach out if they felt the need.
Signs that people might need mental health resources
Paul encouraged to look out for isolation, discussion of death or harm, increased irritability and decreased motivation. They could be signs that a person should seek support.
“It is important to pay attention to new patterns of behavior. Generally, when the pattern is persistent for at least a week, we can ask the person what feelings they are experiencing. This could lead to a discussion to seek an assessment,” said Ron Gengler, senior vice president at Comprehensive Healthcare, in an email.
Staff from Comprehensive Healthcare provided a list of behaviors:
• Showing impulsive or reckless behavior
• Dramatic shifts in mood, sleep or eating habits
• Withdrawing from friends or family
• Irritability or anxiety
• Reduced motivation or energy
• Hopelessness or guilt
• Thoughts of suicide
Gengler noted the importance of mental health resources at all times, not just after a crisis.
“Having mental health resources available reduces the stigma of mental health and encourages people to reach out for help,” Gengler said in an email. “Everyone deserves to have good mental health so that they can live full, vibrant lives.”
How to get to services
Many service providers have phone numbers that community members can call to set up appointments and receive help or advice.
Comprehensive Healthcare has multiple centers in the Yakima Valley where community members can access walk-in services.
Paul said that Triumph’s process for an incident like this would involve a brief assessment of a patient before coming up with a treatment plan based on the client’s needs and a therapist’s expertise to deal with the specific tragedy.
Staff from Comprehensive Healthcare and Triumph noted the importance of accessing low-cost or free mental health services. Both offer to help community members sign up for state insurance and both have discount programs for community members who might not be able to pay for services.
Kollman said insurance should not be an issue for people who need help.
List of mental health services and resources
Triumph Treatment Services: Call 509-248-1800 to start the intake process. Triumph will help enroll uninsured patients in Medicaid and have grant funding for individuals who may be uninsured or underinsured.
Comprehensive Healthcare: Call a crisis line at 988 or 800-572-8122.
Comprehensive also offers walk-in appointments at all of its locations between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, with immediate assessments. There are centers in Sunnyside at 1319 Saul Road and Yakima at 402 S. Fourth Ave.
Comprehensive Healthcare accepts Medicaid, will help guide patients through starting health insurance coverage and offers a sliding fee discount program for those who might not be able to pay.
Yakama Nation Behavioral Health Services: Yakama Nation Behavioral Health Services provides intake and assessment, diagnoses, treatment planning and counseling therapy, according to the Yakama Nation website. Community members can reach Yakama Nation Behavioral Health Services by calling 509-865-2266, according to its website.