We are truly at a loss for words towards the tragedy that occurred at the King Soopers on Table Mesa on March 23, 2021. At roughly 2:30 pm a gunman entered the shopping center and opened fire taking with him the lives of ten innocent shoppers, including a local on-duty police officer. In addition to the lives lost is also the lifelong trauma that is sure to ensue on everyone present and directly impacted by this horrific event.
Please take a moment of silence, wherever you are reading this, and honor the lives lost.
Eric Talley, 51
Denny Strong, 21
Neven Stanisic, 23
Rikki Olds, 25
Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
Suzanne Fountain, 59
Terri Leiker, 51
Kevin Mahoney, 61
Lynn Murray, 62
Jody Waters, 65
We recognize that words are not enough. There are no amounts of “thoughts and prayers” that can begin to drive the type of change that is necessary for faith in our future. Where do we go from here?
Mental health has taken the main stage throughout the past several years and for good reason. People are hurting and the suffering can not be ignored or glossed over with inspirational quotes. Change starts on the micro-level. With you and me taking responsibility firstly for ourselves and the internal environment in which we dwell. It is not until we help ourselves that we can provide aid for another.
Take care of yourself, daily. Ask often, “what do I need right now?” and go from there. Get help. Talk. Process. Sleep. Recover. Drop the pressure to always perform and remind yourself from time to time to slow down. We are all doing our best with what we know at any given moment.
Check in with your loved ones. Make it a weekly practice to pick up the phone and have a conversation with someone you love. Tell them how much they mean to you. Pay it forward.
We can all use more love. Now more than ever.
For more resources, see below:
Here is a link by the Denver Post for ways to assist the families affected.
https://heartcenteredcounselors.com/ – licensed therapists; taking new patients insured, uninsured and those on Medicaid/medicare.
https://coloradocrisisservices.org/ – Colorado Crisis Services (1-844-493-8255)
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ – (1-800-273-8255)
