DENVER – There is a strong link between mass shootings and domestic violence, according to new analysis by Everytown for Gun Safety.

The study found the majority of incidents "involve domestic or family violence."

Lydia Waligorski, public policy director for the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, says she isn't surprised by the correlation. She notes that groups like hers have known for decades that if people with a history of violence have access to a firearm, there's a much higher risk of fatalities.

"Even the presence of a firearm in the home where there's violence sends this message to the victims in the home that, 'I can kill you at any time I want,'" she warns.

Everytown looked at more than 150 cases between 2009 and 2016 in which four or more people were killed, not including the shooter. In more than four out of ten cases, the killer showed "red flags" - threats, attempts or acts of violence, substance abuse or violations of protective orders. Gun advocates argue more firearms would prevent such incidents.

For years, victims of domestic violence have been told they would be safe if they were armed, but Waligorski says the mere presence of a firearm in the home increases the risk of the survivor being killed by as much as 500 percent.

She points to a series of recent shooting deaths of highly trained law-enforcement officers in Colorado as evidence that good people with guns are not always able to stop one that's bad.

"When we add people that are not highly trained, that's adding more risk," she explains. "More guns has not been the answer for domestic violence and, unfortunately, I do not feel that more guns is a solution for our schools."

Waligorski cites extreme risk-prevention policies, passed by a handful of states, as one way forward. Designed to stop gun tragedies before they occur, the measures allow family members to petition a court to remove a person's access to guns if they pose an imminent danger to themselves or others.


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In response to an alarmingly high number of suicides among construction workers, Michigan's construction leaders have taken measures to tackle mental health and provide support for the workforce.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported that in 2022, the industry saw 6,000 worker suicides, compared with 1,000 construction-related deaths in the workplace. People in construction trades can face job and financial insecurities, long hours and difficult working conditions.

Sean Egan, deputy director of labor at the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, said one of the things they're doing to help workers handle the stress is "making it OK to not be OK."

"We know that construction is a male-dominated industry, and that statistically men - specifically men of color, but men in general - are not likely to seek support," he said. "So, we have to make it OK to seek that support."

Egan said his department has implemented mental health-related programs and events for Michigan construction workers, including seminars for Construction Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 9-13.

Statistics show 80% of U.S. workers put in more than 48 hours weekly, which can cause mental and physical stress and increase the risk of substance abuse.

Sheet-metal worker John Coleman, a member of Sheet Metal Workers Union in Michigan, Local 7, said he's glad that mental-health issues among construction workers are finally being highlighted - and urged coworkers to be part of the solution.

"If you're struggling, or you think you notice somebody struggling, say something, because a lot of these people in construction, they might not have a wife or children, they might not have parents, they might not have brothers and sisters," he said. "You might be someone's lifeline."

Some 81% of workers in the United States report they'll be looking for future jobs at workplaces that support mental health. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.


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Nevada is among a handful of states to add a surcharge to all phone bills intended to help support the state's 988 mental health emergency hotline.

A new report by the mental health advocacy group Inseparable found if the surcharge were to increase from 35 cents to 98 cents, it would generate approximately $3 million annually for the Silver State.

Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer for Inseparable, said the report is a tool to help policymakers and state leaders develop an equitable and sustainable crisis response system. They found Nevada's in-state answer rate sits at 68%, when it should be above 90%.

"We're still a long way from having the kind of system that everybody expects in every ZIP code, in every part of America," Kimball acknowledged.

Kimball pointed out with the implementation of 988, it also brought about changes in the way local jurisdictions respond to mental health crises. The report highlighted Nevada has convened a workgroup to build response processes for collaboration between 988 and 911. While it is a step in the right direction, the report showed Nevada could improve call center capacity, crisis response as well as system financing.

Nevada has the 39th highest suicide rate in the country and also ranks 50th in the nation for overall mental health, according to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

Kimball stressed the figures need to see improvement. She added not having an effective response system in place can make a difference between life and death for some.

"People going without help, being turned on to the streets, being in jail, being in emergency departments, being hospitalized -- voluntarily or involuntarily -- or, tragically, having their life end," Kimball noted.

Kimball added the report lays out policy examples for each of their policy recommendations which come from red and blue states moving the needle in the right direction. She hopes they can serve as inspiration for other states. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental-health emergency, do not hesitate to call or text 988.

Wyoming ranked highest in the nation for suicide rates four consecutive years through 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the state is funding more crisis response.

About 90% of calls to Wyoming's 988 crisis response line get an in-state answer, according to a new report. Calls used to be routed elsewhere, but the state has been working to localize responses.

Two Wyoming call centers opened in 2020 to offer 24/7 support and now average about 500 in-state calls per month, according to the Wyoming Department of Health.

Kim Deti, public information officer for the department, said the state is currently working to house the helpline's text and online chat options in-state too, and a local connection is important.

"We believe that people within Wyoming, whether they're calling, texting or chatting, they may feel more able to connect and relate to someone from their area," Deti explained.

A 2023 state law created a trust fund for the program but failed to add money to pay for it. This year, a proposed $40 million allocation was reduced to $10 million in the final state budget. Federal funds are also available through July 2025.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available by calling or texting 988.

The nonprofit Inseparable published a report this month to improve crisis response systems. It encourages states to pursue policies to develop system infrastructure, accountability, workforce capacity and sustainable funding.

Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer for the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable, said in terms of payment, response to mental health emergencies should look like the response to other emergencies.

"Police come. They don't ask whether or not there's an insurance card or a payer first. And the same is true for mental health, substance use, and suicidal crises," Kimball urged. "We want there to be a response regardless."

Kimball argued there should be funds for mental health crises beyond Medicaid.