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Letters to the Editor

Invite mental health professionals to assist fire survivors

An air tanker drops fire retardant while battling a wildfire near Mariposa Wednesday. The blaze has forced thousands of people from homes in and around a half-dozen small communities, and many can use mental health assistance in this crisis, letter writer Carla Lalonde says.
An air tanker drops fire retardant while battling a wildfire near Mariposa Wednesday. The blaze has forced thousands of people from homes in and around a half-dozen small communities, and many can use mental health assistance in this crisis, letter writer Carla Lalonde says. Noah Berger AP

As we see all the people who have been evacuated because of the fires, our prayers go out to the victims and animals

Local mental health would love to help these people, but there is a catch: They have to be invited in. As a fire victim myself, I know first hand how talking to a trained professional who gives you light at the end of a dark and dismal tunnel, is so important. They just are waiting like little angels to come and help those in need of their services.

So please, every shelter, every animal sanctuary pick up the phone and ask mental health crisis workers to come in and help!

Special prayers to all the firefighters their families, please stay them safe. I am very proud of our community for all the extra help that is being done by the people and businesses of Oakhurst, for the displaced people and animals.

We band together in a crisis. Thank you!

Carla Lalonde, Coarsegold

This story was originally published July 21, 2017 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Invite mental health professionals to assist fire survivors."

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