Vice President Kamala Harris underlined the urgent need to address gun violence in the country while addressing a gathering at Eastway Middle School in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She highlighted the devastating impact of gun violence on the nation's youth, considering it is the leading cause of death among children in America. In this regard, she emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of children in every aspect of their lives.
Harris drew attention to the trauma experienced by one in five Americans who have lost a family member to gun violence. She further acknowledged the youth's insights into background checks for gun purchases, supporting the idea that potential buyers should undergo scrutiny to determine their potential danger to themselves or others.
Recounting her meeting with students who had tragically experienced gun violence, she underscored the need for safe spaces in schools.
She announced a $285 million initiative to hire and train mental health counselors in schools nationwide, including $12 million for North Carolina.
The initiative is aimed at providing essential resources to over 14,000 mental health counselors and fostering a supportive environment for students to cope, heal, and thrive. Counselors would “lead in group counseling sessions, one-on-one therapy, and student mediation, social and emotional lessons every day, and just provide a place where those who are trained to do this work can allow the students and the children to check in and to heal,” she said.
She praised the leaders for their courage and commitment to addressing gun violence and trauma in their communities while stressing the urgent need for gun safety laws and mental health resources in schools.
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