Local 12: Gun violence and mental health

Two recent fatal shootings in the Cincinnati area have reportedly involved individuals struggling with mental health issues, highlighting the ongoing mental health crisis.

Maria Espinola, PsyD, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, told Local 12 News the pandemic has only made the mental health crisis worse due to a lack of access to care. Some waitlists have grown to more than 1,000 people with patients waiting months to be seen, she said.

“When someone has been dealing with mental health issues for a long time, not being able to access care can exacerbate their symptomatology,” Espinola said.

Watch the Local 12 story.

Featured photo at top courtesy of Unsplash.