Give an Hour Mental Health Professionals to Offer No-Cost Counseling Services to Victims, Families, and First Responders of Orlando Shooting

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2016 -- Give an Hour™ (www.giveanhour.org), a national nonprofit organization providing mental health services at no cost to members of our nation's military and veteran communities joins with citizens, organizations, and communities across the country in mourning for those lost in the Orlando shooting.

In keeping with our tradition of offering our services to other groups in need, Give an Hour will make available its network of mental health professionals to victims, families, and first responders dealing with the aftermath of the Orlando tragedy. Our network includes thousands of licensed mental health practitioners trained in assisting individuals coping with trauma and recovering from crises and violence.

"We know that the impact of this trauma will have a profound and long-lasting affect on many of those touched by this horrific act of violence," says Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and president of Give an Hour, adding, "Give an Hour is committed to ensuring that those who are suffering receive the help and support they deserve."

Mental health professionals interested in joining Give an Hour can complete an easy online form by clicking on "Give Help" at www.giveanhour.org.
Those seeking help from Give an Hour can visit www.giveanhour.org and click on "Get Help" to locate a provider in their area.

About Give an Hour
Give an Hour a nonprofit 501(c)(3) providing free mental health services to military members, veterans, and their families, was founded in September 2005 by Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, a psychologist in the Washington, D.C., area. Give an Hour has been instrumental in the development of the community-based approach to addressing the challenges that face our nation's military community, having created a successful model for harnessing skill-based volunteers eager to offer their services. Thus far, the network of nearly 7,000 licensed mental health professionals has provided more than 185,000 hours of care and support to those in need. Give an Hour is now leading the Campaign to Change Direction, a collective impact effort to change the culture of mental health in America. Give an Hour and its partners are addressing common barriers to understanding mental health and raising awareness about the signs of emotional suffering. To learn more, visit www.giveanhour.org or connected.giveanhour.org. To learn more about the Campaign to Change Direction, visit www.changedirection.org.

CONTACT: Sally Charney, Give an Hour		
         [email protected] 
         703-582-6672