KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
As new details surface regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Cpt. Habell, a number of mental health counselors in the Santa Clarita Valley are reminding people of the dangers of depression.
Sponsored Articles
On Monday, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office confirmed that Cpt. Wayne Stuart Habell had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Station 73 firefighter’s body had been found not far from where authorities had found an SUV registered to Habell in a rural area of Montecito.
When Habell had first gone missing, initial reports indicated that Habell had been suffering from depression at the time of his disappearance last Monday.
One in five Americans – over 40 million people – suffer from mental health issues at some point in their lives, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
“Mental health is important to everyone,” said Dr. Joan Aschoff, CEO of the Child & Family Center. “Whether it is just test anxiety or as severe as depression or psychosis, we need to have an open conversation about it.”
Aschoff encouraged anyone suffering from mental health issues to seek professional help, and not suffer alone in silence.
Related: Body Of Missing Newhall Fire Captain Found
“We have come such a long way, but there is still a stigma with seeking treatment,” Aschoff said. “You wouldn’t ask someone to cure their own cancer. Mental illness is no different than any other condition.”
The psychologist urged people to not “wait before it gets too bad,” and seek help when symptoms start to appear.
“You are not ashamed of having diabetes or any other illness,” she said. “Why should you be ashamed of having issues with mental health?”
Larry Schallert, assistant director of the College of the Canyons health and wellness center, spoke about the perception people may have about seeking treatment.
“Some people think it is a weakness to seek out help,” said Schallert. “They fear judgment from their peers or family members.”
But that fear is misplaced, he said.
“There’s nothing wrong with being in counseling,” Schallert said. He added seeing a professional can be beneficial to people with a wide spectrum of symptoms.
Schallert urged to seek professional help if anyone feels “lost or hopeless” and “wants to take their own life.”
“It takes courage to ask for help,” he said. “People with mental illness can and do recover.”
Anyone seeking information about mental health resources available in the Santa Clarita Valley can click here for a list of resources. There are 24-hour phone numbers available. In the event of an emergency, 911 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call:
- 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- 1-800-854-7771 for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
- 1-800-784-2433 for the Treatment Advocacy Center
- 661-259-9439 for the SCV Child & Family Center
- 661-296-4444 for the Way Out Recovery SCV
- 661 212-0720 for Sharon Brubaker – Grief Recovery Specialist
- 661-288-4800 for the Santa Clarita Valley Mental Health Center
- 661-257-9688 for the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project
- 661-803-1641 for Straightening Reins, equine therapy
Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
My thoughts and prayers are with Capt Habell’s family, his friends and commrades–I can’t even imagine how painful this must be:(
Im so sorry for the loss, thoughts and prayers for his family, and fellow fireman.
My most sincere condolences to his loved ones, friends and colleagues. Such a profound loss in every way.
Prayers for all who were associated with the Captain, Most of all his family.
My heart breaks for this accomplished young man and his beautiful family..He and his family gave so much to keep US safe. .the problem is that when one is depressed and needing help ~ the last thing on their mind is to seek help. It IS a disease and with this illness one closes up to the outside world. They smile on the outside leading others to think all is well…yet totally down on the inside and may be thinking this is the only way out to find peace… yes it is courageous to ask for help but when one is so low wanting to be by themselves how does does one get that courage? May God bless him, his family and all those who suffer with this often ‘hidden’ disease???? My heart is with you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family , God bless you !????????????????
Prior to leaving us, Wayne choose to walk down burnt-out, “Hot Water Springs Road”, far from his home. I think it was with purpose and intent. In his role as Captain, he was perhaps advocating for firefighters to get yearly exams for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from physicians who know how to specifically recognize it. In saving lives Fire fighters face life threatening events repeatedly (i.e., raging fires which move fast with heavy smoke). In CA fires are not a infrequent event, it’s every season. I think Wayne would have strongly advocated regular PTSD exams and offered therapy for fire fighters, as well as police officers (who face traumatic, life threatening events as well) . These workers are at high risk, just like the military. It would be nice for all future families, if changes are made in memory of Captain Wayne Stuart Habell, His death was work-related and due to lack of on-site mental health resources.
I’d like to see communication skills, especially expressing how we feel, taught in schools from a young age. Because by the time children become adults, too many have had years of hiding how they feel, especially males. Another tragic story, the kind of person we need more of in this world is gone.