While resuming its light rail service for the first time in months, the Valley Transportation Authority is facing criticism that it hasn’t done enough to support traumatized workers.
Recent criticism against the agency was given added urgency last week when one worker who witnessed the mass shooting that killed several workers on May 26th, died by suicide.
In response, some have charged that the transit agency isn’t providing enough mental health resources for its workers.
VTA’s CEO and General Manager Carolyn Gonot disagrees. "We have used every resource that’s been made available to us," she said. "Including grief counseling services from several mental health organizations and trauma recovery professionals, who have been extremely helpful in the wake of the mass shooting."
But according to John Courtney, who heads ATU Local 265 in San Jose, many of the workers his union represents still haven’t gotten the support they need. "I’m not 100% sure that people who make these speeches at VTA about mental health really know what’s going on," he said.
Courtney is calling for a long term plan to provide a broader range of mental health services for grieving workers.
Those who are struggling can find support by calling the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
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