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Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the negativity and stigma surrounding mental health issues have drifted away. Now, the incredibly important conversation about the need for mental health support has become woven into our daily lives, whether that is at work, with our friends between loved ones and family members and even on the national stage with professional athletes.

Recently, a heartbreaking tragedy happened in Bullitt County involving a mother and her two sons. First responders arrived at a home in Shepherdsville to find a neighbor attending to two young boys with fatal gunshot wounds and their mother laying in the middle of the driveway because she had collapsed.

The mother said the incident was “an accident,” and she referred to herself as “stupid” and said she was “in such a bad spot.”

Could this tragedy have been prevented? Possibly.

There is no shame in asking for help.

Part of seeking help is knowing where to go. At Family & Children’s Place, our mission is to protect and heal children and families from abuse. We help families through five different services including services that help families to navigate the challenges of parenting and to create safe, healthy homes. Counseling is also provided for families and children who have experienced trauma. Our well-trained staff members assist families, using proven interventions to help guide families and children on their journey towards hope and healing.

We also help children and families who are involved in the foster care system with special supervised visitation services, allowing for the families to work towards healing in a safe environment. Initially, these services begin in one of our visitation rooms at our campus, with the possibility of transitioning to the family’s home or a child-friendly public setting such as a park.

Suspicions of child abuse must be reported.

By law, in Kentucky and Indiana, everyone is mandated to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect. By doing so, you could help prevent another tragedy and you could help save a child’s life.

While seeking mental health support has become easier for some, the negative stigma surrounding asking for help often still exists. If you or your family have experienced a form of trauma, we are here to help you heal. To access our services, please call 502-893-3900 or visit our website at www.familyandchildrensplace.org

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, please call 1-877-597-2331 (Kentucky) or 1-800-800-5556 (Indiana) or report it online here (Kentucky).