Gun violence is a public health crisis, and it is urgent to raise awareness and reflect on the importance of gun violence education and prevention. The number of mass shootings across the country continues to grow, and we must work collectively towards effective preventive measures. June is Gun Violence Awareness Month and Harris County Public Health (HCPH) highlights the alarming statistics and call upon residents to join forces in putting an end to the number one cause of violence of our youth.

Males aged ten to 14 years in the United States had an 85.7% increase in firearm-related deaths of males of this age range, the largest percentage increase in firearm-related deaths (from 2016 to 2020). For females, the age five to ten category had the largest percentage increase in firearm-related deaths from 2016 (34 deaths) to 2020 (46 deaths), an increase of 35.3% in firearm-related deaths of females of this age.

Texas has one of the highest rates of gun violence in the United States, including homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings. The effects of firearm violence extend beyond victims and their families to the communities they live in. Even people who survive a firearm-related injury may experience long-term consequences, including problems with memory, thinking, emotions, and physical disability from injury to the brain; paralysis from injury to the spinal cord; and chronic mental health problems from conditions such as post- traumatic stress disorder.

“Harris County Public Health (HCPH) recognizes gun violence as a public health crisis that devastates families and communities, and we are proactively working to build safer, healthier, and stronger communities” said HCPH Executive Director Barbie L. Robinson.

The Community Health and Violence Prevention Services (CHVPS) Division under HCPH addresses the reduction of gun violence and works in partnership with local agencies. This allows for a coordinated, holistic response to improve community health and welfare and reduce violence. Since the beginning of this program, as of May 2023 CHVPS has prevented 18 instances of violence. through its Violence Interruption Program.

Additionally, the CHVPS Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) is an alternative first responder model in which non-law enforcement providers (crisis intervention specialist and a certified emergency medical technician) respond to non-emergent, non-violent 911 calls in the Harris County Sheriffs Office’s District 1 area, which encompasses Cypress Station and has responded to 2,816 calls through May 6th.

Nonetheless, gun violence is a community issue, and we must come together to address the root causes of it. We urge our residents to join hands in the fight against gun violence. By working together, we can create safer neighborhoods, protect our loved ones, especially our young. It is time to prioritize public safety, advocate for sensible gun laws, and invest in prevention strategies that save lives.

To commemorate violence awareness month, CHVPS will be hosting events throughout June at various locations as follows:

June 13, 2023

12-4pm

Carriage Place Apartments/Casa Paz-

505 Wells Fargo Dr. Houston, TX 77090

June 19, 2023

10-2pm Yellowstone Park (George T. Nelson Park)

3820 Yellowstone Blvd., Houston TX 77021

June 24, 2023

10to2pm Sunnyside MSC

4410 Reed Road, Houston TX 77051-2718

June 29, 2023

1to6pm Wesley Square Apartments -

7402 Calhoun Rd #202, Houston, TX 77033

In recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Month in June, residents are encouraged to support gun violence awareness by pledging to Wear Orange on Friday, June 2nd, to raise awareness about gun violence, and honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors.

For additional information on the CHVPS program, please visit hcphtx.org or call (713) 274-4877 or email violenceprevention@phs.hctx.net.