LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gun violence can touch the lives of many close to the victim.

In the wake of the Old National Bank shooting in Louisville in April, Humana and Greater Louisville Inc. partnered together to give grants to six mental health organizations. Their goal is to increase the access Jefferson County residents have to mental health care professionals.

What You Need To Know

  • Elgina Smith helps others with the loss of a loved one

  • Her son, Anthony Smith Jr., was shot and killed in 2015

  • Fewer than 13% of the state’s mental health counselors are in Jefferson County, but a new grant program seeks to make mental health care more accessible

  • Louisville Metro Police Department has reported at least 149 homicides so far this year

Around this time of year, Elgina Smith makes candles to gift loved ones for the holidays. The one she's working on now is going to her grandmother. 

Smith’s son, Anthony Smith Jr., was shot and killed in 2015. After his death, Elgina said her health was deteriorating because of the stress and depression she was experiencing.

“I lost 14 pounds in three days after he died," she said. "I had no gray hairs on my head, and I began to gray. At a rapid speed, you can just think about rotting fruit.”

She said after his death, she didn’t have access to mental health resources. She started hosting group grieving sessions to heal from the tragedy.

Smith now works with the ACE Healing Project to help families affected by gun violence heal. 

“I didn’t want to be bitter; I wanted to do something with the life and the legacy of my 18-year-old son," Smith said. "He’s not supposed to be gone."

The Louisville Metro Police Department reported at least 149 homicides so far this year. That’s more than twice the number of homicides in 2015 when Anthony was killed.

However, according to the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity, fewer than 13% of the state’s mental health counselors are in Jefferson County.  

Latosha Perry is a mental health professional who works with people affected by trauma, grief and loss.

"If we don't [address individuals who have experienced trauma], what happens is we're going to continue to evolve in this, a rapid cycle over and over and over again," Perry said. 

Eric Russ, executive director of the Kentucky Psychological Foundation, said having access to mental health professionals soon after the event can be vital. His organization was recently one of six to receive a grant expanding mental health care. 

“Whether you end up on a trajectory to develop something like PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, or another anxiety disorder or whether you recover can depend on your response in that first week or two and what you do then,” Russ said. 

February will mark nine years without Anthony. But through advocating for and providing access to mental health resources, Smith is doing her part in keeping her son’s vivacious spirit alive. She is using her gifts and experiences to shine a light on the need for mental health care. 

“I had to bury him; I won’t bury his legacy," Smith said. "I won’t bury his voice. I won’t bury the individual that he was gifted to me to be. I get to live with the both of us." 

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