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Mental health support offered to furloughed government workers

A Broomfield mental health provider is offering free group sessions to support people affected by the government shutdown.

Pamela Boaz, a licensed clinical social worker at Forward Family Therapy, said the sessions will be held from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, starting Jan. 22, at 2095 W. 6th Ave. Suite #212.

"It's open to whoever needs or wants it," Boaz said. "We know people in the community are experiencing higher levels of stress."

Those same people, furloughed government employees who are not receiving paychecks, likely are not able at this time to afford mental health services.

She and Cameron James, also a licensed clinical social worker, will conduct the therapy sessions. It is unclear how many people will be attend, so Boaz asks that people call or email to RSVP.

Support groups will continue even after the government shutdown ends and as long as it needs to, she said, as there will no doubt be lingering anger and residual stress.

http://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/news/ci_32397026/mental-health-support-offered-furloughed-government-workers