News

Addressing the Needs of Grieving Youth Affected by Gun Violence

January 10, 2025

How CBEM data reveals the toll of gun violence on children in New Orleans and is being used as a call to action to prioritize supporting bereaved children on a systematic level.

The MindSite News article, “Forgotten Children: The Unseen Victims of Gun Violence,” draws on the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) state data and CBEM Key Topic Household Income Reports to underscore the urgent need for comprehensive support for grieving children. These resources highlight not only the prevalence of childhood bereavement but also its correlation with socioeconomic factors, revealing how children in the lowest income group are more likely to be bereaved than those in the highest income group.

This data is particularly vital in the context of gun violence, a leading cause of childhood bereavement, especially in under-resourced communities. Dr. Julie Kaplow, a psychologist and expert in child trauma and grief, emphasizes in the article that “childhood bereavement has been an ongoing issue for many, many years, particularly in under-resourced communities where gun violence is more common.”The article effectively highlights CBEM’s capacity to frame bereavement within the larger context of socioeconomic disparities, revealing the distinct challenges these communities face in confronting the rising rates of childhood grief.

This is a powerful example of how CBEM data serves as a call to action for communities, policymakers, and organizations to prioritize the mental health and well-being of bereaved children. Together, we can ensure they receive the resources and care they need to thrive despite their loss.