NASW Metro DC Chapter joins the nation and our fellow Georgia social workers in grieving the senseless deaths of two students and two teachers, as well as the injuries to nine others, after all were shot at Apalachee High School September 4. The shooter allegedly is a 14-year-old boy.

As DC social workers, chapter members see firsthand the terrible behavioral and mental health outcomes of school-based and other gun violence. These include not only lifelong trauma and grief for the victims, but also the same for their families, friends, communities, and fellow citizens.

The chapter released a statement on gun violence in July 2023 that called on DC policy makers to continue toughening gun laws and investing in proven school-based gun violence prevention programs. There is no excuse for these killings to continue when the evidence-based research is so clear that sensible gun safety actions do save lives.

In addition, with September 2024 also being Suicide Prevention Month, the chapter reminds policy makers that guns are used in more than half of suicide cases. Please read the full statement here.  

NASW National has expressed deep sympathy to the family and friends of those who died in the mass shooting, noting that the organization has both “pushed for lawmakers to address our nation's gun violence epidemic” and created the following resources so social workers can help those affected with the resulting trauma: https://www.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Social-Justice/Gun-Violence?fbclid=IwY2xjawFFqTNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcRKed2b68TEbgBQ6RZsq9lh5zug-5twF3rO3jRVJviZdF5xdF4jPJAakw_aem_UhiXVTfAgb41aurAYcE_3A