Gun violence and mental health
Inside our May 2023 newsletter
In this issue: When we talk about gun violence, we often focus on the acute physical wounds that bullets leave behind, yet the psychological trauma from gun violence persists, ever present for those who experience it. As national firearm-related death rates continue to rise, so does the burden on our collective mental health, especially for those who survive, witness, or lose someone to gun violence. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to call attention to these sometimes-hidden outcomes.
Amy spoke with Teen Vogue last year about how gun violence affects our mental health, with a special emphasis on young people and the increasing anxiety among Americans around mass shootings. She talked about how the effects of being exposed to gun violence can be detrimental to a developing brain: “It inhibits your brain from completing developmental tasks. What that translates to in your life is higher levels of depression and anxiety and substance abuse and not being able to focus on school. Academic performance is going to be inhibited in kids who are stressed and distracted by staying alive.”
To learn more about how gun violence affects mental health, check out the following research from our team:
Exposure to Violence, Firearm Involvement, and Socioemotional Consequences Among California Adults
Firearm Involvement in Violent Victimization and Mental Health
Please take time to care for yourself and your loved ones’ mental health. Find support resources with SAMHSA and 988, the national suicide and crisis hotline.
Other topics covered:
- A journal club guide on the intersection of firearms and healthcare.
- Changes in suicide in California from 2017 to 2021
Stay informed—read the full newsletter for insights on how our work is driving violence prevention, our latest research and resources, upcoming events, and more. Subscribe so you never miss an issue.