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SALT LAKE CITY — If you're feeling any anxiety after reported mass shootings, or the recent school threats in Utah, local mental health experts say there's help available.
Rachel Lucynski, a director with Huntsman Mental Health, said trained mental health professionals can chat anytime on the SafeUT app.
"These feelings are normal and there are resources that exist that can help parents especially feel empowered and like they're part of the solution. So, what we would really recommend is making sure that parents are aware of the SafeUT app," said Lucynski.
As an example, parents can use the SafeUT app if they're concerned about anything they heard from a child. The app could also be useful if a child or parent becomes worried about recent mass casualty events.
If parents are anxious, Huntsman Mental Health experts want to remind parents to pay attention when fears start to impact their daily lives.
"It's really normal to feel scared. It really is. And we know that in Utah these things are happening," said Lucynski.
Data shows that in 2022, the app received more than 800 tips, or people seeking mental health resources. Twenty percent of those tips were about guns.
Finally, Lucynski wants parents to feel empowered.
"They do have a way to help contribute to keeping schools safe," she said. "Contributing to violence prevention is something that can help people feel empowered and like there's action that they can take."
