'We Are Maxed Out:' Grief And Mental Health Counselors Burnt Out From Increase in Philadelphia Gun Violence
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Gun violence across the city of Philadelphia has not only broken the hearts of families, but it's also pushing organizations focused on that violence to the edge.
The staff at Anti-Violence Partnership Philadelphia provides grief and mental health counselors for those who lose loved ones in shootings. However, the group tells Eyewitness News there aren't enough people to go around.
Natasha McGlynn, the executive director for the group, calls gun violence "a public health crisis." The organization has seen a 60% jump in those joining the wait list to see a counselor. The number of youth clients went up around 90%.
Emily DeCarlo is the director for the agency's youth violence outreach program, and she says the group has reached its limit.
"We are maxed out," DeCarlo told CBS3. "We can't serve any more youth even though we want to."
The Anti-Violence Partnership Philadelphia is hopeful additional funding from the City Council will let them bring more help on to accommodate the increased number of shootings.