Mental Health First Aid for Trauma Survivors: Catholic Charities Can Be Part of the Healing Process

Dzvonick says counseling provided by entities like Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg is pivotal to the emotional healing process after trauma. But often access to mental health providers is limited.

Msgr. Raymond E. Riffle, managing director of Catholic Charities, says the first step to healing is a phone call away.

“It is a Catholic outreach, but it is an outreach to anyone. Regardless of your faith or beliefs, you are welcome,” Msgr. Riffle says.

Counseling is available at Catholic Charities’ main office in Greensburg and at offices in New Kensington, Kittanning, Uniontown, and Indiana.

“All of our counselors are certified mental health specialists. They all have licenses in one of the disciplines — counseling, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy,” says Dr. Paul Niemiec, director of counseling services.

Access to mental health care is imperative for anyone who has suffered emotional trauma.

“They need help before it gets to the point where they need to be hospitalized or they, themselves, begin to victimize someone else,” he said.

Dzvonick remembers seeing far too many acts of violence inside schools and began looking for a public health approach.

“It just isn’t there,” she says.

Dzvonick’s training, RISE Westmoreland is now available at www.dioceseofgreensburg.org under the Youth Protection tab.