Three in five young gun violence survivors do not receive mental healthcare – this California bill can fix that
Summary
A new California bill called the Thrive Act aims to provide mental health care to young people under 25 who survive or are affected by gun violence. The bill would create pilot programs offering counseling and support services to help these youth heal from trauma, regardless of their immigration status.Key Facts
- Marvin Pérez, a gun violence survivor in Oakland, struggled with mental health after being shot and later found help from a local nonprofit.
- The Thrive Act would offer mental health services to youth who have been shot, lost a family member to gun violence, or witnessed shootings.
- About 60% of young gun violence survivors in the U.S. do not receive mental health care after their injuries.
- The bill focuses on counties with high gun violence, including Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Solano, and Alameda.
- It was inspired partly by a deadly mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in Stockton, California.
- Supporters say the bill could help prevent cycles of violence by giving survivors healthier ways to cope.
- Firearm violence is still the top cause of death for children and teens in the United States.
- The bill is sponsored by California assemblymembers and gun violence intervention groups aiming to improve access to trauma care.
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