ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — A new mental health center has been established in Rochester Hills to provide free support to those affected by the mass shooting at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad. The Rochester Hills Resiliency Center, located at 1970 Auburn Road, is a program run by Common Ground, an Oakland County mental health services agency.
The center was created in response to the tragic incident on June 15, 2024, when nine people were injured, including a young boy who was left blind after a gunman opened fire at the popular splash pad. The center is staffed with trained, trauma-informed professionals and aims to offer a safe space for individuals to heal, receive compassionate mental health support, connect with others in the community, and access a range of resources.
A Safe Space for Healing and Support
The Resiliency Center operates in-person on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for walk-in assistance, and Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment. The center’s core mission is to provide targeted support for those impacted by the shooting, though it has also committed to helping anyone in need, regardless of their connection to the incident.
Mayor Bryan Barnett of Rochester Hills and Jamie Ayers, director of victim services at Common Ground, officially opened the center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new facility is dedicated to offering mental health services, connecting individuals with community resources, and facilitating the healing process for those affected by trauma.
Funding and Operations
The center’s funding comes from a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice Anti-Terrorism Emergency Assistance Program. While the grant covers many operational costs, Common Ground also relies on donations and foundation support to address additional expenses not covered by the grant.
Addressing Trauma and Mental Health Challenges
The shooting on June 15, 2024, left a significant impact on the community. The gunman, Michael Nash, opened fire indiscriminately, injuring nine people before fleeing the scene and later dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Nash, 42, from Shelby Township, did not have a criminal record, but it was revealed that he had previously struggled with mental health challenges.
The Rochester Hills Resiliency Center is designed to support those who were directly affected by this traumatic event, including the survivors, their families, and the broader community, by providing trauma-informed care and resources to aid in the recovery process.
The new center is part of a larger initiative by Common Ground to strengthen community mental health services and offer a welcoming environment for individuals to seek help and support. The center is committed to providing ongoing care, building a sense of resilience, and helping people navigate the complexities of trauma recovery.
Through this center, the Rochester Hills Resiliency Center hopes to make a lasting impact on those affected by the tragic shooting, while also offering services to anyone in the community experiencing mental health difficulties.
