Nearly a year has passed since the tragic shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, and the mental health impacts continue to affect many. Diversus Health, a mental health center serving El Paso, Park, and Teller counties, has recognized the need for mental health services for those impacted by the Club Q shooting.
Diversus Health is now providing behavioral health services tailored to individuals affected by the traumatic events at Club Q. These services encompass peer counseling, educational support, and counseling/therapy, and are offered free of charge, regardless of individuals’ insurance coverage.
This initiative received a grant of over $600,000 in federal funds from the Colorado Department of Health And Environment. Jennifer Herman, the Grants Strategy Director for Diversus Health, stated that this funding enables them to hire additional mental health experts, including clinicians and peer specialists.
Herman stated, “It provides us with the ability to hire about two to three clinicians to provide council services and four outreach peer specialists.”
The services are already accessible, and individuals seeking assistance can access them through the Diversus Health website. A dedicated section on the website allows individuals to request Club Q impact services, following which a peer specialist will reach out to connect them with the appropriate services.
The need for these services arises from the lasting impact on the mental health of many individuals who were present at Club Q during the tragic event. Jennifer Herman emphasized, “The trauma effect because of this, sometimes people don’t realize they are experiencing sometimes until months later.”
Diversus Health initially provided disaster relief immediately following the Club Q shooting in November 2022, but they had to wait for additional funding to offer ongoing support.
Ashtin Gamblin, a Club Q survivor and former Club Q employee, highlighted the importance of mental health services in such situations, saying, “Mental health plays a big role in these types of situations.” She expressed her personal challenges and the importance of seeking therapy for conditions such as PTSD and panic attacks.
Gamblin hopes that the availability of free counseling services will encourage more individuals to seek help and start the journey towards healing.
Diversus Health will continue offering these services until the end of April, with the possibility of extensions based on the duration of grant funding. Interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to Diversus Health to access these services and take the first step toward mental health support and recovery.
