If you’re struggling with the weight of gun-related incidents, there are some things experts want you to keep in mind.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As National Gun Violence Awareness Day approaches on Friday, mental health advocates are drawing attention to a startling statistic that challenges common perceptions about firearm deaths in America.
While homicides are the most publicly reported forms of gun violence, suicides account for the majority of gun-related deaths in the United States, according to Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Advocate Fonda Bryant.
“In 2023, 58% of gun deaths in this country were suicide. Three out of five gun deaths in this country are suicides,” Bryant said, contrasting this with the 38% of gun deaths classified as homicides.
The revelation comes as communities grapple with the psychological impact of recent shootings and gun violence incidents. Licensed clinical mental health counselor Jackie Greco, who works with Sun Counseling and Wellness, says proximity to violence can significantly affect mental health.
“When that’s in your own backyard, it becomes that much more real,” Greco said.
Both Bryant and Greco emphasize that many acts of gun violence, whether directed outward or inward, can be prevented through intervention and mental health support. They advocate for direct, compassionate communication with those who may be struggling.
“Hey, let me help you get help. We can get through this, you can get better, listen without judgement. It can make all the difference,” Bryant said.
Greco stresses the importance of acknowledging difficult realities while maintaining hope. She says effective therapy helps people understand that multiple truths can coexist.
“I think, first, it’s important to acknowledge that there is a lot happening and that a lot of what’s happening includes things like suffering, and discomfort, and hard truths, or things that we wish were different– and it’s okay to acknowledge that,” Greco explained.
The counselor adds that therapeutic approaches focus on helping clients recognize that “there can be pain and suffering in the world, and there can also be really good things that are happening too.”
As National Gun Violence Awareness Day approaches, organizations are encouraging people to wear orange to honor those who have lost their lives to gun violence. The day serves as both a memorial and a call to action for addressing the broader spectrum of gun-related deaths.
For individuals struggling with mental health challenges, whether related to witnessing violence or experiencing suicidal thoughts, resources are available through organizations like Sun Counseling and Wellness and other mental health providers.
If you or a loved one are facing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, there is help readily available. You can call Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat with them online. There are also resources in North Carolina available here and in South Carolina available here.
