Photo belongs to Dr. Mandy Ross

It’s been over a year since the shooting at Perry High School that claimed the lives of three people and injured six others, and an expert discusses the support mechanisms that are open to students and staff members.

Perry School Recovery Coordinator Dr. Mandy Ross tells Raccoon Valley Radio that administrators have stressed to keep daily tasks as normal as possible, but she realizes that some people might need resources available to them. Ross shares that there are mental health professionals on site for the remainder of the school year for students and staff members. She is also extending an invitation to legal guardians about seeking help for their children.

“If they’re sending their child to school and they’re recognizing that something’s not quite up to par with the kiddos, that they reach out to their either school principal or school counselor to request some additional support for their children.”

Ross mentions that the school district partnered with the Perry Public Library to provide additional mental health support specialists on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10am to 2pm for parents/guardians that are overwhelmed with emotions and want someone to talk to.