The Guardian | Three in five young gun violence survivors do not receive mental healthcare – this California bill can fix that
The Guardian just published an important article about the Thrive Act, legislation co-sponsored by Youth ALIVE! that would provide free mental health services to young survivors and witnesses of gun violence across California.
Young people who survive violence often carry wounds that cannot be seen. Yet too many face financial, administrative, and systemic barriers to receiving the mental health support they need to heal. The Thrive Act would help close that gap by expanding access to trauma-informed counseling and other mental health services for young people impacted by gun violence.
We are especially grateful to the Youth ALIVE! clients who courageously shared their experiences and helped demonstrate the transformative power of counseling and healing.
A special shoutout to our incredible colleague Cassandra for building the trusted relationships that made these conversations possible and connecting her clients with the reporter so their voices and stories could be included. This is what meaningful advocacy looks like: centering the people most impacted and ensuring their experiences help shape the policies intended to serve them.
Thank you to The Guardian for shining a light on this critical issue and the urgent need to invest in healing for young survivors.