Gun violence is a major public health problem in the United States, with negative mental and physical impacts that reach far beyond any single event and may endure for years. Between 2015 and 2020, both overall firearm deaths and the number of mass shootings increased across the U.S. Among children and adolescents, guns have become the leading cause of death nationwide with nearly 6.1 deaths per 100,000 people relating to firearms. Poor mental health is often stigmatized as being the cause of an attack, but mental illness is not a significant risk factor for gun violence. When compared to other high-income countries, the U.S. ranks highest in levels of gun violence and gun ownership, yet rates of mental illness in the U.S. are like those in other countries. This infographic explores the mental health impacts of mass shootings and firearm-related incidents as well as the recent federal legislation to address gun violence. Click here to learn more.
