Gun violence needs to stop. We say it. We repeat it. We wait for someone to do something. But, we are still figuring out how to prevent it.
National Violence Prevention Hotline
The National Violence Prevention Hotline (NVPH) was created five years ago for that very purpose. The NVPH was founded by Paul Krauss, MA LPC, in an effort to stop gun violence, and murder, in general.
On May 17, 2019, Krauss spoke at the Cultural Impact Conference in Chicago, IL, hosted by the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. His speech is available online.
“Learn about a bold new national effort to save innocent lives and curb violence in the United States by focusing on reaching potential offenders before they act: The National Violence Prevention Hotline.” —National Violence Prevention Hotline (NVPH)
In a personal interview with Paul Krauss, he said that pretty much every week NVPH receives email messages from people on the verge of committing violence or murder, who are asking for help. He said, “People are asking, ‘Are you open?’”
You see, the NVPH is not yet open. After five years, they are still seeking enough support and funding to train workers and staff the phones. They need our help.
The NVPH does very much exist. There is a board. The NVPH is a 501(c)3 organization. They have a board of six people. So why hasn’t the NVPH opened? Lack of funding—but not for lack of effort.
Krauss is a mental health professional who knows his way around. He’s done his homework. Five years ago, Krauss created a petition on Change.org, “We need a National Violence Prevention Hotline in the USA.” Pretty clear cut. Straightforward. Who wouldn’t get behind that?
The petition was addressed to the attention of “Media Services and Division of Grants Management, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)”—an appropriate funding source for just this kind of project. Your local suicide hotline probably receives training or other support from SAMHSA.
The NVPH proposes working with existing suicide hotlines, but Krauss explains that there is a definite difference between suicidal callers versus someone contemplating violence or murder. Krauss said the training for violence prevention needs to be a bit different. But, he anticipates that with just five months’ training, the NVPH could be up and running. He envisions that happening by working with existing 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline projects, utilizing their training expertise and coordinating with existing services while adding differently-trained professional with a master’s degree, or maybe even a bachelor’s degree, who are uniquely trained to de-escalate violence.
Developing Awareness
The way Change.org works, a petition needs a certain number of signatures to be elevated to recommendations, where it can get a foothold. The NVPH petition needs a mere 1,000 signatures. Five years after Krauss started that petition, it stands at merely 692 signatures.
Three years ago, Autumn Wade started a “Mass Shooting Prevention” Change.org petition addressed to the President of the United States, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. She started her petition, noting that if she could get 100 signatures—just 100—her petition could be featured in recommendations. To date, only 25 people have signed. Wade’s petition begins with “Create a national hotline so that anyone that suspects someone might act upon a threat or do something harmful and commit domestic terrorism can be reported.” I tried to find a way to contact Autumn Wade, to no avail. I can imagine her frustration. But, it is interesting that her petition says the same things as the NVPH.
Where Are We?
Violent crimes continue. Mass shootings have become commonplace. It is difficult to have a rational conversation when we can’t even agree on whether a mass shooting means 3 people—or does it mean 4 people?
But, along with the Change.org petitions, there have been ongoing efforts to at least understand what is going on. Back in July 2012, Mother Jones created a first-of-its-kind open-source database documenting mass shootings, in the United States, dating back to 1982. It is a great resource. But, it doesn’t address the present and future.
“What are we doing about these crimes?” Krauss asked, in frustration.
He went on to lament that one option is to call the police, who would probably arrest the person. Until, the NVPH finds its footing and support, their website suggests contacting 911, or 988 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Crisis Lifeline), or look for a therapist. Krauss says the NVPH recognizes the need to coordinate better with law enforcement and mental health services, along with perhaps changing laws to better accommodate the need for services for this unique, and very angry, population—something more than locking them up.
Establishing NVPH
“Most people considering killing someone won’t tell their therapist,” Krauss said. Changes in the law can hinder—and terrify. “Therapists have a Duty To Report,” he explained. “That could include warning a potential victim.” He admits that is terrifying, but sometimes essential for that person.
Krauss says we need to remove the stigma of anger. Everyone has angry thoughts, such as road rage. But we don’t act out on that rage. Nevertheless, it would be a tremendous boon if it became the norm to call a National Violence Prevention Hotline and talk out anger, instead of grabbing a gun.
Will People Call?
Potential callers are already looking for the NVPH for the hotline number. When they can’t find one (because it doesn’t exist yet), they email Krauss.
That is absolute proof that the NVPH is viable. It just is not yet funded.
“The individuals who are likely to call are not likely to be attending meetings,” he said. “These are hard concepts we working with. We are looking at how to prevent people from killing. We know quite a lot about how gun violence happens—but not why. No know knows why.” There are research effort afoot, but we still lack enough understanding about the issue to stop it.
Krauss went on to explain that the NVPH could be a huge contributor toward understanding why some people kill. The anonymous callers’ experiences could help form a body of knowledge explaining why some people kill—while most don’t. “We all learn through religion or philosophy, not to kill,” Krauss said. So why do some people kill anyway?
You Can Help
The NVPH has received one small grant. Krauss said that frankly it was so small that it largely went toward seeking additional grants.
“If McKenzie Scott is listening,” Krauss only partly joked, “we need funding!”
You can still sign their petition, as evidence to grant makers that there is interest in the project. It accomplishes so much more than just making you feel good, and encouraging Paul Krauss (although I’m sure he would appreciate it).
If you want to help, Krauss suggests:
- watch and share the NVPH’s YouTube video through email or your social media
- start a conversation about NVPH with people in your circle
- write articles about NVPH
- advocate for NVPH
- Learn more at the NVPH Website: violencepreventionhotline.org
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