Vivek Murthy, the US Surgeon General, has called for a massive, nationwide campaign to reduce the harm related to firearm violence that is spreading throughout our society.
“The collective trauma and fear that Americans are experiencing is contributing to the mental health challenges that we are facing today. Nearly 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they worry about a loved one being a victim of firearm violence.” Murthy said.
His office has issued a landmark public health advisory, which calls for implementing community violence prevention programs and firearm risk reduction strategies; expanding research funding; and improving access to mental health care and support for those exposed to or at risk for firearm violence including trauma-informed care.
People with mental illness are especially vulnerable to the associated damage stemming from the epidemic of gun violence. Trauma and anxiety impact not only the victims of violence, but also bystanders and family members. Some responses to violence that are not backed up by evidence may also work to increase the stigma faced by mentally ill people.
Firearm deaths in the United States have reached a nearly three-decade high. The majority (56%) are from suicide, and homicide accounts for about 40%. Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents, surpassing car accidents, cancer and drug overdose and poisoning.
Taking a public health approach to firearm violence means publicizing firearm risk reduction strategies that have been shown to work in reducing injuries and deaths. Educational approaches and teamwork on the community, school, and health care levels will create an environment where the risk of firearm injuries and deaths can be substantially reduced.
Firearm violence takes a severe toll on our whole society, not only those who are actually injured or killed. Trauma, anxiety, concerns about access to care for injured persons, and social stigma around mental illness all can be alleviated using a public health approach to reduction of harm caused by guns.