PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Whether it’s a school shooting, a neighborhood shooting or an accidental shooting in the home, gun violence affects children, and their mental health needs to be prioritized, according to the dedicated workers at Child Guidance Resource Centers . They provide behavioral health services to children and families in Southeastern Pennsylvania, addressing issues such as suicide risk and the impact of gun violence on mental health.
“We are concerned about the prevalence of firearms and the access of guns in Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, and the lack of legislation to restrict access to guns,” said Michael Flannery, CGRC vice president of performance improvement.
CGRC advocates for more attention to safe storage and anything the government can do to reduce kids’ access to guns. This, as well as the effects of gun violence on children’s mental health are just a few topics for discussion at an upcoming community forum and resource fair in Philadelphia.
“We feel it’s important for us to use this opportunity to share resources with the community. This is the community we serve and provide a way for better information between legislators, organizations and the people all around us, especially dealing with kids,” said Luana Scales, CGRC diversity, equity, and inclusion director.