LIVING HERE
Elkhorn has had another mental health crisis.
Unfortunately, this kind of event has become all too common, and something needs to change so resources are readily available to those in need. The park, pool, and surrounding streets were shut down. Residents were not allowed to leave or enter their homes and were told to shelter in place. A suspect locked himself in a vehicle with a gun on Rockwell Street on Tuesday night and threatened to harm himself with the possibility of hurting others. The City of Elkhorn Police Department and Walworth County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene, and they were able to stop the incident from escalating and took the suspect into custody. This affected not just the individual but the other residents, emergency personnel, and the city.
Changes need to be made so those with mental health problems can see a therapist or psychologist without a six to twelve-month waitlist. The process that has to be followed is just to get an appointment or referral to see a proper therapist to help address the issues we are facing in today’s world and society only hurts those with mental health issues and pushes them away leaving them feeling hopeless and lost. We should be making it easier for them to reach out for help and talk with someone certified to handle the issues they are facing. It takes just one person to make a difference in the life of someone who is struggling and feels like he or she can’t take life’s burdens anymore.
One big change that has been made is the creation of 988. It has been one year since the start of the 988 Suicide & Crisis hotline. By creating an easy-to-remember three-digit dialing code, the county took an important step forward for suicide prevention and mental health. Data for the months following the transition to 988 continues to show an increase in overall calls, texts, and chats from the year prior. More people are getting connected to care and connected sooner than ever before. If you, or someone you know, is struggling, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
