Understanding Gun Violence through the Eyes of a Survivor: Jordan Costa’s Journey
Jordan Costa’s journey into the intricate relationship between mental health, gun access, and violence prevention started humbly, but quickly evolved into a personal and impactful narrative. As a graduate student at Rutgers University in 2018, Costa had already developed a strong awareness of suicide and its ties to gun violence. Throughout her studies, she discovered how one’s environment could shape not only their risk of suicide but also that of homicide.
The Seeds of Commitment
Costa first ventured into the realm of violence interruption at the University of Maryland, under the mentorship of Joseph Richardson. His class illuminated the systemic issues of mass incarceration, particularly how it impacts marginalized communities. The story of Kalief Browder—an innocent young Black man who committed suicide after enduring over 700 days of solitary confinement—struck a chord with her, igniting a commitment to preventative work.
Her hands-on experience began at a hospital-based violence intervention program that Richardson led, connecting gunshot patients with violence interrupters. This enriched her understanding of trauma firsthand. In one particularly harrowing shift, Costa encountered a young man with 17 gunshot wounds. “Gun violence is incredibly painful and traumatic,” she reflected, emphasizing the importance of actively helping those in need.
A Life-Changing Revelation
As Costa settled into her graduate studies, her life took a shocking turn. Scrolling through Instagram one day, she came across a post memorializing her father, Joe Costa, as a suicide victim. This revelation shattered the narrative she had held for years—her father had not died suddenly in his sleep as she’d been told, but by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This revelation recontextualized her entire understanding of gun violence, triggering a profound personal journey.
Her father’s passing in 2005 occurred under traumatizing circumstances, with her family choosing to shield her from the painful truth. As Costa learned the details from her mother, she began to grasp the depth of loss. “This totally reoriented my understanding of my own connection to the work that I do,” she said, initially driven by a passion for violence prevention but now intertwined with her father’s tragic fate.
Understanding Structural Forces
Born into a Cuban-American family in New Jersey, Costa observed firsthand how structural forces like racism contributed to social inequities affecting mental health. These dynamics fueled her curiosity about the intersections of immigration, trauma, and wellness. The pain from her father’s death layered her understanding of these structural issues, motivating her to delve into the realm of violence prevention research.
During her academic journey, Costa encountered challenges that were not merely academic but deeply personal. At a tender age of 8, she began to process her father’s untimely death. The years passed, and as she pursued her studies at Maryland, her family kept their secret, believing they were protecting her. When the truth surfaced, it reinforced her desire to comprehend the complexities surrounding violence and its aftermath.
Community and Contribution
Costa’s work in violence prevention grew through her connection with the Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program, founded by Richardson. This initiative addressed the urgent needs of gun violence victims, providing integral support to those in crisis. More than just a theoretical pursuit, Costa’s dedication was fueled by her commitment to the lives at stake—those who had ascended the depths of violence.
But without adequate funding, the violence prevention field often struggled to achieve its full potential. Costa’s resolve to pursue this work mirrored the relentless spirit of a colleague, Che Bullock, who had also emerged from a life-altering experience with violence. Bullock’s journey from victim to violence interrupter exemplified how lived experience could inform and enhance the effectiveness of violence prevention strategies.
Reframing Personal Connection
For Costa, navigating her identity as a Latina aiming to help young Black male gunshot victims required sensitive navigation. Seeking guidance from Richardson in 2015, she learned to focus on the shared human experience instead of the differences. Costa emphasized that while she could not relate directly to being shot, she grasped the universal nature of pain and suffering.
Many clients she helped shared stories of trauma that resonated with her own experiences of gender-based violence and suicidal ideation. Though aware that revealing her past could risk her credibility, she felt an undeniable pull to connect authentically with those she served.
The emotional weight of her father’s revelation intensified as she moved through her studies. Reflecting on how his death influenced her perspectives on trauma, she pondered the absence of crucial support systems that could have altered her family’s trajectory. After all, if her father had access to resources like mental health treatment, his life might have ended differently.
Graduate School Challenges
As a first-generation doctoral student, Costa faced the complexities of her academic environment, often feeling isolated as one of few students of color. The challenges of loss and trauma resurfaced as she navigated her program, losing family members who had provided academic support. Despite these hurdles, her commitment to her calling remained steadfast.
Striving to understand the experiences of hospital-based violence interrupters, she pursued her dissertation amid the pandemic’s restrictions, grappling with academic probation and the fears of discontinuing her research.
A Mission of Empathy
Costa’s degree, now a decade in the making, symbolizes more than academic achievement; it represents a commitment to advocacy for those often overlooked. Her work at Giffords, in particular, aims to amplify the need for sustainable support for violence prevention practitioners, informed by her understanding as both a survivor and an advocate.
“People think the worst part of a gunshot wound is the injury itself,” Costa observed. “But the psychological aftermath is isolating and challenging.” Her story is not merely a testament to resilience; it reflects a heartfelt mission to ensure that others do not walk the path of isolation that too many have faced in the aftermath of gun violence.
If you or someone you know is grappling with a mental health crisis, you can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting “988.”
