TEXAS — The one-year anniversary of the gruesome mass shooting that claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. has arrived, and calls for resolutions to gun violence in Texas are only growing louder.
Since then, in Texas alone, there have been several more gun-related mass shootings including the Cleveland shooting where five people, including a 9-year-old boy, were shot and killed, and more recently the Allen Premium Outlets shooting, where a gunman opened fire on shoppers, killing eight people and injuring seven people.
The gun reform push in Texas has been one met with expected barriers. As of September 2021 and currently, it is legal for people 21 and older to carry a handgun in a holster without a permit, whether it be open or concealed. During this year’s legislative sessions, Democratic Sen. Roland Gutierrez proposed a gun bill that would to raise the minimum age for buying semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21. That bill was short-lived, making it out of the House but stalling just days before the Uvalde anniversary.
While legislators debate solutions to prevent the frequent occurrences of deadly encounters featuring semi-automatic rifles, it is undeniable the wreckage left in the wake of these massacres. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Spectrum News 1 is providing a list of resources for those directly affected by gun violence.
LifePath Systems
LifePath Systems is offering free counseling services to those in the Collin County community impacted by the Allen Premium Outlet shooting. Those needing help are encouraged to contact the organization here.
Disaster Distress Helpline
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Recieve help by calling 1-800-985-5990.
Team ENOUGH
Team ENOUGH is a youth-led organization committed to educating the young minds on gun violence. The organization also provides mental health resources, such as a resource sheet serving as a community resource for those impacted by gun violence.
Texas Suicide Prevention
The Texas Suicide Prevention is a collaborative that offers mental health resources in 39 community centers across the state. Resources are offered to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.
On June 9, 2022, Texas Gov, Greg Abbott’s office released a statement announcing support for those impacted by the Uvalde tragedy. One of those resources, the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center, was started to “serve as a long-term support services for the community’s ongoing needs, including mental health resources and crisis counseling.” It is unclear at this time if that resource is still being provided by Uvalde County.