These are tough times. And sadly, one public health crisis doesn’t stop for another. The gun violence epidemic will not stop for COVID-19. Accidental shootings, domestic violence, and suicide rates are all expected to rise. Even during this crisis, we need to look out for each other and advocate for peace. We know a hotline isn’t a perfect solution, but it really can help in moments of crisis. Here are some hotlines and other resources to keep handy for yourself or anyone you know that may need it: · National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1−800−799−7233 · National Domestic Violence Online Chat · National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 · Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741 · Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990 · Distress Text Option for folks who are Hard of Hearing and Deaf: Text TalkWithUs to 66746 · Disaster Distress Hotline for Spanish speakers: Call 1-800-985-5990 and press "2" Finally, a gun won’t prevent a virus. But all across the country, people are stockpiling firearms, meanwhile more kids are at home for the foreseeable future. Here’s a guide to prevent accidental shootings from our friends at Brady. It is estimated that 4.6 million American youth live in homes with loaded, unsecured firearms and every day, 8 kids are unintentionally injured or killed by unlocked guns in people’s homes. We pray this number doesn’t rise with more schools closing and more families socially distancing -- and we continue to call on lawmakers to enact safe storage laws that would save young lives from accidental shootings and suicide. We’ll touch base again next week with a bigger announcement about how you can take action during this scary, uncertain time. For now, stay inside if you can, wash your hands, and take care of yourself, friends. Talk soon, Ariel Hobbs, David Hogg, and Bria Smith, Board Members Alexis Confer, Executive Director March For Our Lives |