Los Angeles (KNX) - Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn and L.A. County Department of Mental Health Director Lisa Wong, Psy.D. announced a new campaign on Friday aimed at preventing school shootings and violence.
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The education campaign, targeting high school students, encourages them to report concerning or threatening behavior by fellow students to the County Department of Mental Health's School Threat Assessment Response Team (START).
START is a program comprising mental health professionals collaborating with schools and law enforcement to address calls about potentially dangerous behavior that could lead to school violence.
The team assesses the risk level and plans a focused intervention for the concerned student.
Research shows that many young people who commit violent acts at school discuss or mention their plans beforehand, often on social media and with other students.
The program initially focused on educating teachers and staff, but is now reaching out to students.
Dr. Wong emphasized the importance of student involvemen: "This campaign empowers students to make a difference in their lives and the lives of fellow students who may be on a path to violence but could benefit from services and intervention."
The campaign includes a video PSA, ads on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook, and posters distributed to over 200 schools countywide.
Supervisor Janice Hahn explained the goals of the START campaign: "If one of our students witnesses something that doesn't feel right, they need to know there is someone they can call who can step in and help."
The campaign's PSA features Mia Tretta, a student who survived a shooting at Saugus High School in 2019. Mia's best friend, Dominic Blackwell, was killed in the incident. Since then, Mia has become a passionate anti-gun violence activist.
The $547,000 campaign is funded through MHSA (Mental Health Services Act).
The number to call is (213)739-5565 - callers can be anonymous.
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