In today’s world, there is no denying the impact that gun violence has on our society.
In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 46,728 people died from gun-related injuries in the United States, which includes both suicides and murders. Additionally, the non-profit organization Gun Violence Archive (GVA), which has collected and shared near-real-time data on gun violence in the United States since 2013, reported that as of September 16, 2025, there have been 304 mass shootings in the U.S. this year. These statistics are hard to comprehend for anyone, no matter what side of the political spectrum you find yourself on.
Regardless of your opinions on gun control, there is no denying that gun violence has a major impact on the mental health of every American– from children to the elderly. But how can we respond to it? If you find yourself in a situation where you or someone you know and love is upset after witnessing an act of gun violence, what’s the best way to approach it? The best thing to do when experiencing any mental health crisis is to talk about it.
Conversations can be hard, but it’s better than isolating or shutting down in times of crisis or upset. Friends, family, RAs– it doesn’t matter who, as long as they’re an active listener there to be supportive and not push you to believe one thing or another. Also, feeling angry is okay. Feeling sad is okay. No matter what you or someone you love feels about an act of violence they witnessed, it is wrong. They’re all a part of how the human brain processes traumatic events. Supporting someone through their feelings should be the main priority when you’re supporting someone you care about.
Taking a break from the news and social media also makes a major difference in someone’s mental health after witnessing a traumatic experience. Staying informed is good. Making yourself sick from anxiety and stress while refreshing the news isn’t. Additionally, if you feel unsafe after witnessing an act of gun violence through social media, that is understandable and normal. ETSU’s top priority is safety, and there are many ways you can get connected to resources to help you feel safer if you’re feeling shaken up.
Subscribing to ETSU emergency alerts is the best way to keep yourself aware of potential emergencies on campus. There are two ways you can subscribe: texting “ETSU” to 237233, or by downloading the ETSU Safe app (which is available on iPhone and Android). Once you’re signed up, you will be notified if ETSU issues any warnings or emergency alerts. Knowing ETSU Public Safety’s phone number and having it saved in your phone is also crucial if you see an emergency on campus. Public safety can be reached by calling (423) 439-4480 or by using any of the red emergency phones across campus.
The world can be scary sometimes, but we can get through the hard times by supporting each other, no matter what.
