CALHOUN COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office has confirmed mental health issues were a contributing factor in a double homicide that occurred in Ohatchee on Saturday.
Police say 35-year-old Tyler Ferguson is accused of killing his mother and father.
In Birmingham, police said 31-year-old Kelly Jackson Jr. “lost his mind” last Thursday and shot four people, killing two of them, including Jackson's father and grandfather.
Law enforcement officials say mental health can influence crime and tragedy.
According to Alexandria Means of A Means To Live Consulting, in most cases there will be signs that they are struggling to cope with mental issues, such as social withdrawal, anger, emotional distress and sleep problems.
If someone says they have hurt themselves or someone else, contact the police immediately. Also, if you have a relative or friend who has been diagnosed with something like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, take the time to learn about the diagnosis and let your loved ones know you are there for them.
“If you're not sure if there's a diagnosis, but you're seeing symptoms that say this isn't normal, this isn't normal for this person, you can ask how you can support them. If you know they need treatment, the best way to help them is to get a referral to a specialist,” Means said.
Here is a list of local resources:
After-hours emergency care
Capitol Care South (https://www.capitol-care.org/) 205-956-2000 (Phone:205-956-2000) Choice of Alabama (http://choicesofalabama.com/) 205-639-1334 (Phone:205-639-1334) Eastside Mental Health Center (http://eastsidemhc.org/) 205-836-7283 (Phone:205-836-7283) Gateway (https://www.gway.org/) 205-510-2600 (Phone:205-510-2600) Glenwood (https://glenwood.org/) 205-969-2880 (Phone:205-969-2880) JBS Mental Health Officer (http://www.jbsmha.com/) 205-595-4555 (Phone: 205-595-4555)Piper Place (https://crisiscenterbham.org/mental-health-services/mental-health-services/) 205-323-7782 (Phone: 205-323-7782)UAB Mental Health Center (https://www.uabmedicine.org/locations/uab-center-for-psychiatric-medicine) 205-934-4108 (Phone: 205-934-4108)
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