SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a new plan on Friday to reduce youth gun violence and increase mental health resources. This comes after a teen was shot and killed outside of Garfield High School last week.
“This is violence is unacceptable,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell at a gathering on Tuesday. “There are too many guns out here in the wrong hands and we, as a community, have to realize one of our first, heavenly divine purposes, is to protect those who are vulnerable, our students.”
The plan will put $10 million toward youth mental health and safety for next school year and expands telehealth access to 2,000 students.
Of that, $2 million would go toward violence prevention and intervention and it also launches a "100 Days of Action" campaign to curb gun violence this summer.
Paul Patu is the co-founder of the nonprofit Urban Family that works to prevent youth violence and create safe communities. Patu said it is crucial that youth gun violence is addressed immediately.
“Some of the things that are coming down the pipe should have came down the pipe many years ago,” said Patu.
Patu said he is grateful for Mayor Harrell's plan and said a holistic approach with nonprofits, schools, community members, and law enforcement is the best way to address youth gun violence.
“We're definitely not there yet, but I think it's a move in the right direction,” said Patu. “I think that when we mobilize both people and resources and really have a heart to heal our communities, good things can happen.”
He said more positive resources for young people are needed.
“There are ample opportunities for young people to buy guns and to buy drugs,” said Patu. “How is it possible that our communities don't have an abundance of opportunities for young people to turn to?”
The Seattle Student Union has been pushing to get millions of dollars for mental health counselors in schools.
"I want students to have the mental health resources they deserve,” said Charlotte Ortega, a 10th grader at Lincoln High School and part of the Seattle Student Union.
Ortega said students in Seattle should not have to go to school wondering if they will come home alive.
"It's devastating to hear about these shootings, like the Ingram shooting and about a year ago and the Garfield shooting just recently,” said Ortega.
Ortega said it is important that the Mayor’s Office focuses on funding for in-person counseling since some students do not have access to internet at home for telehealth services.
She said the money needs to be put into action quickly so that students can utilize the services.
“I really urge Mayor Bruce Harrell to put that money into good use and get those mental health resources to schools as soon as possible so that this can just stop happening,” said Ortega.