Enoch city manager offers support to West Valley City

ENOCH, Iron County — Life is pretty much back to normal in Enoch. Christmas decorations at City Hall give the small Southern Utah city a festive mood.

However, there is still some sadness here.

When city manager Rob Dotson saw the news about a West Valley father who shot and killed his family, then himself this week, a lot of emotions came back.

“In fact, sitting here right now, I can feel my own, honestly, my hands and feet are going a little numb because there is a retracting, a physical manifestation of stress,” Dotson said.

Two years ago, a father shot and killed his wife, five children, his mother-in-law, and then himself in Enoch.

It is a tragedy that affected many people who live here. Dotson remembers his biggest concern was healing for the community.

That’s part of why he held a news conference right away back then, to let people know what had happened.

He also helped organize vigils and memorials, and to this day is planning on another memorial, to encourage people to support each other.

“We recognized that and realized we had to do something to get people talking,” Dotson said.

His biggest message to people was to be compassionate with others and to speak with a therapist if you were feeling off because of the tragedy.

“There was a group of about ten organizations, ten or eleven organizations in our community, who came in to help us,” Dotson said. “We came together and then this money flooded in and we are still as of last week, this organization that we created, it is still paying invoices of therapy that is helping people.”

Even though the Enoch house where the shootings happened has been sold and another family now lives there, Dotson admits there is still plenty of healing to do in Enoch.

He also knows the healing in West Valley is just beginning, which is why he and Enoch city leaders sent a message to West Valley City leaders offering any help they can.

“Just telling them, ‘Hey, it is okay and we are here for you,’” Dotson said. “The communities we live in are great. There are a lot of resources out there to help people. We have got your back.”

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Domestic violence resources

If you or someone you know is going through abuse, help is available.

• The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465).
• Resources are also available online at the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition website.
• YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
• Utah’s statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. All calls to legacy crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute as well.

Additional resources

• SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can connect with a licensed crisis counselor through chat by downloading the SafeUT app or by calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388)
• SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and healthcare professionals can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUT Frontline app.
• SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUTNG app.
• Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call 1-833 SPEAKUT 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers a wide variety of programs and services including suicide prevention and crisis services, hospital treatment, therapy & medication management, substance Use & addiction recovery, child & teen programs, and maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
• LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. They offer resources for faith based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.

 

Counties in Utah provide services for mental health and substance use disorders. Centers are run by the thirteen Local Mental Health and Substance Use Authorities all across the state and offer therapy, substance use disorder treatment, support groups, mobile services, youth treatment, and more.

 

These resources and more information can be found here: https://www.uacnet.org/behavioralhealth.