Hi friends,

Mental health is important. I know that may seem obvious with the recent focus on the mental health of our students, but in so many cases, we don’t know when someone is struggling.

Once again, we find ourselves grieving over innocent lives ripped away in a senseless act of horror. But the unimaginable act of violence committed at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, was a tragedy that could have been prevented.

Mental health is a pillar of Stand with Parkland’s goal of ending firearm violence. It’s imperative we recognize students struggling with mental health issues and provide them with the supportive programs and resources they need before they even consider picking up a weapon.

That’s why we believe extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), also known as red flag laws, are a part of this solution to stop targeted violence in schools.

They enable family members and law enforcement to take action when someone with access to firearms is experiencing a crisis. 21 states have this law so far, and they’ve helped avert multiple suicides. ERPOs can greatly reduce the number of lives lost to firearm violence, while also making sure that we aren’t unfairly stigmatizing individuals living with mental illness.

Friends, we’re in a crisis of mental health in the United States — people don’t have the resources they need to protect themselves and their loved ones. That’s what Stand with Parkland is trying to change.

The tragedy in Winder, GA is a stark reminder of the work we have to do to end the plague that is mass violence in our nation’s schools. If you share our passion for increasing access to meaningful mental health resources, please consider chipping in to our movement. Your donations allow us to continue our efforts to end firearm violence and protect our schools and communities.

JOIN OUR MOVEMENT →

Thanks for your support,
— Debbi Hixon