Researchers from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) have been awarded a grant of $715,774 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). This funding will support their ongoing work to improve healthcare provider training
on gun violence and offer trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to individuals impacted by gun violence at the three PCOM Healthcare Centers in Philadelphia.
The SHELTER Program—or Support and Healing through Empowerment, Learning and Trauma
Education in Recovery after gun violence—was developed by Erik Langenau, DO, MS, MAPP, professor and chief academic technology officer, and Michelle Lent, PhD, professor of clinical psychology, who serve as co-project directors for the program.
The project team also includes clinical psychologists, Alexa Bonacquisti, PhD, Robert DiTomasso, PhD, and Megan Amatrudo, PsyD, with expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed care.
Together, they aim to equip healthcare professionals with tools to address gun violence
as a public health crisis while broadening access to mental health services for affected
patients and community members.
Through the SHELTER program, PCOM will be increasing the support we provide patients
and families who have been affected by gun violence. This includes (1) educating our
healthcare center staff clinicians and students about communicating with patients
and learning about community-based resources and (2) treating our patients who have
psychological symptoms after gun violence exposure with trauma-informed cognitive-behavioral
therapy (CBT).
PCOM healthcare center patients can learn more at https://pcomhealth.org/gun-violence/
For researchers, advocates and supporters, please email SHELTER@pcom.edu for more information.
We look forward to helping address the mental health impacts caused by gun violence
on our communities.
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