Today, WestCoast Children’s Clinic is releasing a new study, Spotlight on Community Violence: An Underrecognized Danger to Children’s Mental Health. This study focuses on the impact of community violence on youth mental health.
Existing research suggests that community violence is a prevalent source of trauma for youth in the U.S. that also affects children’s emotional, behavioral, and physical development. Our study adds to this research by demonstrating that the effects of community violence on children’s mental health are as impactful as abuse and neglect.
We found that youth who witness or are victims of violence in the community have unique patterns of intensive mental health needs that include a higher likelihood of running away and suicide.
These findings, along with other research, strongly suggest that we need to address community violence in treatment. Community-focused interventions can help youth heal from collective trauma. Also, we must advocate for policy reforms that address the underlying conditions that give rise to community violence.
Thank you so much for your continued support. We could not do this work without you.