Haley calls for mental health reform after Iowa school shooting

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley called for mental health reform in the wake of Thursday's school shooting in Perry, Iowa.

“We have to fight the cancer that is mental health. We must,” Haley told voters at a CNN town hall in Iowa. “One in three people has a mental health problem, but with treatment they can live a completely normal life. 80% of Americans are in some kind of crisis at the time of a mass shooting. We have to do better. The problem is we don't have enough mental health therapists.”

“The second thing is, just like we protect airports and courthouses, we need to protect schools,” she continued. “And that means making sure you have everything you need so nothing goes wrong.”

Haley said schools should have security guards at the front and one entrance, and mental health counselors on duty.

A gunman opened fire at Perry High School in Dallas County, Iowa, on Thursday, killing one student and injuring four students and a school administrator. Police said the gunman died from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to NBC News.

Hailey first responded to the X news, offering her condolences to those affected by the shooting.

“No parent, student, or teacher should have to wake up in the morning and face the news of a school shooting,” she said. “My heart breaks for the victims and the entire community of Perry, Iowa.