The community is showing their support after Saturday’s tragic stabbing incident at Walmart in Traverse City. There are several resources for first responders and people in the community to seek support.
“Large events such as that just brings a whole different chaos and stress to the job,” said Cobey Taylor, President Northwest Michigan Peer Network. “You’re dealing with multiple people versus, on a normal car accident, you might have 2 to 5 people that you’re dealing with versus the amount you would have at a large public venue. Plus, we have to keep in mind their job and to stop there.”
Northwest Michigan Peer Network has eight clinicians on staff for first responders to talk to. Their focus is to be a listening ear for the people who are always there for us.
“Especially for first responders that want to talk to a clinician that has been around first responders and know the way we talk,” said Taylor.
Taylor says that Grand Traverse County and surrounding counties utilize a network often.
“They’re very good at having resources that are on our team,” said Taylor. “All of our peers have a first responder background. That means our careers are in that field and we have the agencies by and with our team here. So right when that incident happened, we were already taking calls from dispatch. So that is awesome to see because we don’t have to worry about making those contacts. They’re already got that trust with our team.”
For first responders concerned about money preventing them from getting treatment. The Northwest Michigan Peer Network has options to make sure you can access care.
“We offer, Mental Health Relief Fund, but this fund offers is any Michigan first responder active or retired and their immediate family funds up to $500 of that grant,” said Taylor. “Once they’re approved, they could use it for rehab. They could use it for clinician appointments, Transportation, and we’ve paid for flights to rehab centers or treatment centers. It’s just one of those extra things our team created.”
People can seek help at Northwestern Michigan College’s Innovation Center, The Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center, or contact Northwest Michigan Peer Network.
For people who are looking to give back. Versiti Blood Drive Center of Michigan is always seeking donations, especially during the summertime.
“We get 30% of our annual collections from schools, and right now schools aren’t in session,” said Kate Shapkaroff, Versiti Blood Center of Michigan. “So we typically see a dip in the summer months. But what the impact could be is you have people who aren’t getting what they need. People who are on regular infusion treatments, and people who are having scheduled surgeries. Those things might get pushed back.”
Shapkaroff clarifies some misconceptions of giving blood.
“Most people think that if they take a regular allergy medicine or they have a tattoo or something of that nature, it automatically disqualifies them. And that’s not the case.”
The whole procedure takes around forty-five minutes. And five of those are actually drawing blood. Versiti Blood Center donates 60% of the blood used at Michigan hospitals.
They want people to know their donations. Stay local.
“You will get a text message a couple of days after your donation to say where your lifesaving donation is going,” said Shapkaroff. “So, it really does, even not in times like what we’ve experienced over the weekend. It gives you a sense of really helping out your community, and you’re doing it with really no cost to you. It’s just a little bit of your time.”
Click here for more information on Northwest Michigan Peer Network.
Click here for more information on how to donate blood.