After the tragic and devastating event against the LGBTQIA+ community last night at Club Q, we are mourning the loss of five loved ones and our thoughts are with the many who were injured. We are also mourning this act of violence on Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. These acts of violence are senseless and disturbing and during times like this, we must come together as a community and care for one another.
At this time, we do not know yet if any of those killed or injured are UCCS students, faculty or staff. If you have any information about last night’s attack at Club Q or are looking for a family member, please contact the Colorado Springs Police Department at 719-444-7000.
Campus Resources:
- If you need somebody to talk to, counselors from the UCCS Wellness Center will be available Monday and Tuesday. Please call the Wellness Center at 719-255-4444.
- If you know a student who is struggling and needs support accessing resources, please contact the CARE Team for outreach assistance.
- If you are a faculty or staff member in need of support, you may contact the Real Help Hotline at 833-533-CHAT (2428).
- Additional resources are listed at the bottom of this article.
Community Support and Healing:
- We will host a community support and healing circle tomorrow to create a space for the community to gather in solidarity to heal and mourn following this tragic act of violence. The community circle will be taking place from noon – 1:00 p.m. in University Center 303.
- Following the Community Support and Healing Circle, MOSAIC will be hosting Card and Poster Making – Caring for Those Harmed. Monday in Student Life Lounge 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. and on Tuesday in MOSAIC 9:00 a.m. – noon.
In this time of sadness and confusion, we find strength in each other. Take care of yourself, look out for your friends, and tell your family members that you love them.
Community Resources
In the days following the tragic events at Club Q, our community has come together to provide support for those who were directly and indirectly impacted by the event. This attack has affected all of us. We all process and grieve in our own way, but we don’t have to do it alone. Please review this list of resources on our campus, in our community and statewide and access the care, support and resources that you need for yourself and those around you.
UCCS Campus Resources
If you are a student and need somebody to talk to, counselors from the UCCS Wellness Center will be available today. Please call the Wellness Center at 719-255-4444.
If you know a student who is struggling and needs support accessing resources, please contact the CARE Team for outreach assistance.
If you are a faculty or staff member in need of support, you may contact the Real Help Hotline at 833-533-CHAT (2428).
The Office of Institutional Equity also has a list of campus and community resources available here.
The Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience
In the aftermath of the Club Q attack, we are undertaking a variety of measures to provide mental health support to individuals who have been impacted by the attack, as well as to the Colorado Springs community as a whole. The Institute has been researching individual and community trauma and resilience for years, and integrating the knowledge gained through that research into our clinical services and community training programs.
A few of the supports we plan to offer are as follows:
- We will be providing outreach and services to shooting survivors at UCHealth Memorial hospital as part of the BRIGHT program.
- Counselors on our Community Training and Empowerment (CTE) team plan to rework their schedules to offer clinical support for individuals and organizations impacted by the attack.
- We will offer an ongoing information/educational session each week to the community on different themes related to trauma and building resilience, such as meaningful connections, safety in our communities, and post-trauma experiences.
- We will collaborate with other organizations in the community to ensure that the individuals and community members impacted by this tragedy are receiving the resources they need.
- We plan to offer Safe Support Group Sessions to the UCCS campus community.
- We are activating our Peer Support Coach program throughout the UCHealth Southern Region, our Peer Support Coach program throughout the Colorado Department of Transportation, as well as reaching out to other organizations supported by our Peer Support program.
- We will be reaching out to the Colorado Springs Police Department Wellness Team, who we already work with as part of their wellness program.
- We are working with an advertising agency on expanding the availability of our GRIT training throughout El Paso County to ensure that the community has the tools necessary to build resilience and recover from this traumatic event as a community.
If you, a loved one, or an organization need resources, you can find information about our programs at resilience.uccs.edu.
Colorado Springs Focused Crisis Services and Mental Health Resources
A Community Resource Event will be held at UCCS Kevin W. O’Neill Cybersecurity & Research Center (3650 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80907) to provide resources for our community members impacted by the mass incident that occurred at Club Q.
Resources include:
- Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA)
- Colorado Springs Police Dept. Victim Advocacy Unit
- FBI Victim Services
- Inside Out Youth Services
- YMCA – Child Care and Activities
- Diversus Health – Mental Health and Counseling Support
- 4th Judicial Victims Compensation
- 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Division
- The Center on Colfax – LGBTQ Support and counseling
- Hope – Animal Assisted Response – Therapy/Comfort Dogs
- Red Cross – Spiritual Care, Health Services, Behavioral Health
- Salvation Army – Food
- Care and Share – Food Bank
- Colorado Crisis Services
- Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention
- NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Health
Security for all attendees will be provided by uniformed Colorado Springs police officers. The event is designed to be an inclusive and safe space for all community members to gather, grieve and obtain emotional support. This event is not open to the media for interviews or camera footage.
Tuesday, November 22, 2022, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, November 23, 2022, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Additional Resources
Hard Beauty: Hard Beauty provides recovery services including coaching, support groups, professional development, peer recovery support and community events. Learn more at HardBeauty.life. Hard Beauty will offer recovery services free of charge to anyone who wants or needs additional support at the Community Resource Event (see details above).
Diversus Health: Diversus Health Lighthouse facility in Colorado Springs is a walk-in crisis center for all ages. They provide crisis services, counseling, and psychiatric therapy, as well as round-the-clock acute care for mental wellbeing. Learn more at DiversusHealth.org.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Colorado Springs: NAMI Colorado Springs creates and cultivates a welcoming community of peers who educate, support and advocate for people and families living with mental health conditions. It offers in-person and virtual support groups. Learn more at NAMIColoradoSprings.org.
PeakView Behavioral Health: Peak View offers complimentary assessments 24/7 for individuals of all ages seeking help and support for mental health and/or substance use in Colorado. Learn more at PeakViewBH.org.
Statewide Crisis Services and Mental Health Resources
Colorado State Employee Assistance Program: CSEAP is available to state employees in response to the Colorado Springs shooting that took place at Club Q. State employees may be grappling with fear and difficulty associated with the violent attack. CSEAP has reserved 30-minute urgent appointment time frames this week to provide brief support and referrals. Please call them at 303-866-4314 to request an appointment. If you do not receive a live response, PLEASE leave a voicemail message providing your name and your request for a critical incident appointment time on Nov. 21, 22, or 23. You may also accept OPTION 2 for immediate live support.
Colorado Crisis Services: For help with any mental health, substance use or emotional concern, call Colorado Crisis Services at 844- 493-TALK (8255), or text TALK to 38255. Our trained professionals provide free, immediate, and confidential help, 24/7/365. Learn more at ColoradoCrisisServices.org.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. Learn more at 988Lifeline.org. Youth can request a counselor who specifically focuses on the needs of LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults via call, text, and chat.
OwnPath: OwnPath connects Coloradans with behavioral health providers licensed by the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and to search for specific services or use a guided search to identify providers or resources that best meet their needs. Learn more at OwnPath.co.
Youth-Focused Crisis Services and Mental Health Resources
Below the Surface: Below the Surface aims to help teens connect to and get support from the Colorado Crisis Services (CCS) text line. Text TALK to 38255 to speak with a trained counselor 24/7 on a personal, free, confidential line. Learn more at BelowTheSurfaceCo.com.
IMatter: I Matter provides up to six free therapy sessions for any Colorado youth 18 years of age or younger, or 21 years of age or younger if receiving special education services. Therapy is provided by licensed clinicians in Colorado. Visit IMatterColorado.org to sign up for free therapy sessions.
Inside Out Youth Services: Inside Out Youth Services builds access, equity, and power with LGBTQIA2+ young people, through leadership, advocacy, community-building, education, and peer support. Find a list of LGBTQIA+ resources at InsideOutYS.org/Resources.
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S. It is 100% confidential, and 100% free. Visit TheTrevorProject.org to get connected.