ServiceNet offering free counseling for those affected by DUI accidents The ServiceNet Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic in Chicopee is now providing free counseling, case management and advocacy services to those in Hampden County who have been affected by accidents caused by drivers who were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Services are available to direct victims, their loved ones, witnesses and first responders, with assistance for transportation and child care possible. Lin Hood-Glidden, LMHC, has been named Program Coordinator at the Chicopee Clinic of ServiceNet to reach out to the community so people in need may find out about and access these services.
According to the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data, there were 757 DUIs in Hampden County in 2005. Accidents caused by drivers under the influence can cause major suffering for all involved; injury, property loss, time lost from work, financial loss and loss of life often result in lasting problems for those directly affected and by people who are close to them (family, friends and others). People who experience a traumatic incident can experience some, many or all of the following:
thinking about the incident even when you try not to,
nightmares and other sleep problems,
flashbacks,
feeling angry, sad, confused, scared or having anxiety or panic attacks or physical problems when someone or something reminds you of the trauma,
feeling emotionally numb or dead inside, or only feeling anger, resentment or hatred,
feeling cut off from other people,
not being interested in anything,
not being able to remember things about the traumatic incident,
trouble concentrating, or
feeling "jumpy" or nervous about your safety or overprotective of others.
These problems can and do affect most areas of your life, including relationships, and can make you feel like you are going "crazy." If you are having problems with any of the above due to a car accident caused by a driver under the influence, or if someone close to you is going through this and it is affecting your life, you are not "crazy," and you deserve to get help with this.
ServiceNet is a private, non-profit program operating in Chicopee since 1991, which provides a full range of mental health services for adults, couples, families, adolescents and children. Counseling, psychiatric medication evaluation and management and more are provided for individuals and groups with sensitivity to issues of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and ability.
Hood-Glidden is available for public outreach and education presentations on the issue of drunk driving and indicators that someone could benefit from mental health support services. This program is funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, made available by the Drunk Driving Trust Fund of Massachusetts.
The Drunk Driving Trust Fund (DDTF) was enacted on March 8, 2002. Funds are collected through a $50 assessment against those convicted or otherwise found guilty of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Currently services are provided by six community based agencies across the state: Community Crisis Response Team of Greenfield, LUK Inc. of Worcester, Mental Heath Association of Greater Lowell in Lowell, Mother's Against Drunk Driving, which is a statewide organization with its main office in Boston, St. Anne's Hospital of Fall River and ServiceNet of Chicopee.
For information, or to schedule an intake, call Hood-Glidden, LMHC, at 335-0329.
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