Firearm injuries traumatize children, saddling them with mental health issues that include stress disorders and drug or alcohol use, according to a new study. In all, 35% of kids injured by firearms receive a new mental health diagnosis in the following year, the research found.
That compares to a 26% rate of mental health diagnoses that follows a car crash, investigators said. Dr. Peter Ehrlich presented his findings at the 2022 National Research Conference on Firearm Injury Prevention in Washington, D.C.
NIH shared Dr. Ehrlich’s findings via a Science Update in early 2023.
Additional media mentions of Dr. Ehlrich’s findings: