FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 13, 2014

Contacts:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Betsy Bates Freed, Psy.D. SBCPA Media Relations Chair, (805) 979-3440, betsy@drbatesfreed.com

Lauren Guy, Psy.D., SBCPA President, (805) 377-3734, drlaurenguy@gmail.com

Gil Reyes, Ph.D., SBCPA President-Elect of, (805) 708-4323, drgilreyes@yahoo.com

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PSYCHOLOGISTS OFFER HELP IN WAKE OF FAMILY TRAGEDY

Dr. Lauren Guy, president of the Santa Barbara County Psychological Association (SBCPA), expressed sympathy and deep concern following Tuesday’s discovery of four brutally stabbed family members and a family pet who were slain in what is, all believed to have been victims an act of family violence in a quiet neighborhood near Goleta.

“This has been a year of tragedy and wrenching sadness in our community,” said Dr. Guy, referring to an earlier mass murder on May 23 in Isla Vista that claimed the lives of seven people, including the troubled 22-year-old suspect believed to be responsible for a shooting and stabbing spree. She encouraged those impacted by the most recent tragedy, as well as anyone witnessing or experiencing what they feel might be signs of mental illness and/or domestic violence, to seek help. “Our community has a rich array of resources,” she said.  

Santa Barbara psychologists and other local mental health professionals are standing by to assist those in need, she emphasized.

Free counseling will be available for community members at compassion centers on Thursday, August 14 and Friday, August 15 at La Colina Junior High School and Foothill Elementary School.

Sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Department of Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services (ADMHS), the Santa Barbara Response Network, (SBRN)  La Colina Junior High School and Foothill Elementary School, the compassion centers will be available Thursday and Friday during the following hours:

• La Colina Junior High School Library, 4025 Foothill Road, Santa Barbara, 10 am – 12 noon; 1 pm – 3 pm; 5 pm – 7 pm.
• Foothill Elementary School Library, 711 Ribera Drive, Santa Barbara, 10 am – 12 noon; 1 pm – 3 pm; 5 pm – 7 pm.

Parents:  How to talk to your children about the Goleta family tragedy: 

“Talking with Children About Mass Violence.”  It is a very useful resource for parents and teachers.  It is available online at:http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/talking_to_children_about_mass_violence.pdf