A New York senator from Brooklyn is proposing a state funded research group dedicated to understanding mental health and gun violence.

Brooklyn New York Sen. Roxanne Persaud says a research group is needed in order to better understand the underlying issues of gun violence and what causes people to access guns and what causes them to use them as weapons.

She says preventing gun violence means focusing on mental health first and inside of schools too.

The Department of Education says mental health is a priority in New York City, and that for the first time in years, mental health services are available to every city school.

The DOE says it offers programs that connect students and staff members to critical resources that support the social and emotional needs of students.

Persaud says it's a good step in the right direction, but kids and adults need to feel comfortable about asking for help.