PARKLAND, Fla. – Grief counseling will be made available to those suffering after the high school shootings that left 17 dead in Parkland on Wednesday.
Broward County Schools urges anyone, especially students and families, to speak with counselors beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday at one of the following locations:
Recommended Videos
Pines Trails Park Recreation Center and Amphitheater
10555 Trails End
Parkland, FL 33076
Coral Springs Gymnasium
2501 Coral Springs Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Coral Springs Center for Performing Arts
2855 Coral Springs Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Westglades Middle School
11000 Holmberg Road
Parkland, FL 33076
Staff members who work at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are asked to attend counseling at:
Parkland Library
6620 N. University Drive
Parkland, FL 33067
The following hotlines are also open for anyone who wishes to speak with a grief counselor.
CDC Disaster Distress Helpline
Call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
Broward County Distress Helpline
Call 2-1-1
***Those who wish to communicate with a counselor via text message may text FL to 741741. You will then be connected with a family counselor.
The American Red Cross is also offering free services Saturday at the Family Assistance Center, which will open at 10 a.m.
The center is located at 10561 Trails End in Parkland. The hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Services offered include:
• Counseling/Spiritual Care
• Crime Victim Services and Victim Compensation
• Drivers Licenses and Identification Documents
• Health Care Assistance
• Language Translation
• Travel Assistance
Free acupuncture services, which Acupuncture Physician Kimberly Marin says can benefit the physical, mental and emotional components of people who have been subjected to tragedies and disasters, are also being offered.
The services are being offered every weekend for the next month at the Three 7's Animal Sanctuary at 6445 NW 77th Terrace in Parkland.