NASW Virginia Saddened by Georgia School Shooting, Statement Emphasizes Mental Health Toll of Gun Violence beyond Direct Victims

NASW Virginia Chapter grieves the senseless deaths of two students and two teachers, as well as the injuries caused to nine other people, shot at Apalachee High School in Georgia, allegedly by a 14-year-old boy.

As social workers chapter members regularly see firsthand the terrible behavioral health and mental health outcomes of school-based and other gun violence. These include not only lifelong trauma and grief for the victims, but also the same in their families, friends, communities, and fellow citizens.

In 2024 alone, more than 330,000 children have been exposed to school gun violence, and many will carry those memories throughout their lifespan or experience challenging mental or behavioral health conditions as a result.

NASWVA released a statement about gun violence in July 2023 that called on state legislators to toughen gun laws, but most were defeated in the General Assembly or vetoed by Gov. Youngkin. There is no excuse for this when the evidence-based research is so clear that sensible gun safety actions do save lives.

In addition, with September 2024 also being Suicide Prevention Month, the chapter reminds policy makers that guns are used in more than half of suicide cases. Please read the full statement here, and if you or anyone you know is suffering thoughts of suicide, contact 988 immediately.

NASW National has expressed deep sympathy to the family and friends of those who died in the mass shooting, noting that the organization has both “pushed for lawmakers to address our nation's gun violence epidemic” and created the following resources so social workers can help those affected with the resulting trauma.