What do you know about school shootings? Most people have a difficult time understanding what happens when a school shooting occurs. There are many things to know about such a tragedy. In this article, we will examine the psychological factors that contribute to these tragedies. Next, we will look at the ways to prevent one. Below are some steps you can take to help protect students and staff. If you’re concerned about the safety of your child, read on.
Psychological conditions that lead to school shootings
The vast majority of individuals suffering from mental illness do not commit violent crimes. Statistically, they are much more likely to become victims than perpetrators. Yet, we know that the average person with a mental illness is more likely to become a victim of a mass shooting. This is evident in the more than 200 school shootings that have occurred across the U.S. this year alone. One such incident was an 18-year-old man who opened fire at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, after embracing racist conspiracy theories. In another example, an 18-year-old man opened fire in a Buffalo, New York, supermarket, and other places.
Several factors have been implicated in the rise of school shootings, including the lack of gun control and sensationalization of perpetrators. While gun control and lack of social capital are major factors in school shootings, the role of mental illness is particularly relevant. As a result, efforts to improve mental health services may be a key component to reducing the number of these tragedies. If mental illness is recognized as a contributing factor, we can work toward reducing the rate of school shootings.
Effects of school shootings on students and staff
While most school shootings do not result in a mass casualty, the effects of such incidents are far-reaching. The shooting of one student may have far-reaching effects for the school community and climate. Not only are survivors likely to exhibit symptoms of traumatic stress, but witnesses may also suffer from anxiety and depression. Some will even develop chronic psychiatric disorders. Short-term impairments may be so severe that they hinder a person’s academic performance and social and emotional growth.
Studies have found that children attending public schools where a shooting occurred are more likely to repeat a grade than those not exposed to the incident. Students exposed to such an incident are also 1.3 percentage points more likely to repeat a grade than those not exposed to such an incident. High school sophomores and juniors who attend such a school are nearly two-thirds less likely to graduate from high school, and almost half are less likely to attend four-year College.
Steps to prevent a school shooting
The first step in preventing a school shooting is identifying potential school shooters. Counselors can identify students who might become violent and provide responsive intervention strategies. Bystanders should be educated about their role in helping to prevent a school shooting. In addition to counseling students, school personnel should educate parents and bystanders about how to protect their children from violent situations. Here are some tips to prevent a school shooting:
The best way to prevent a school shooting is to teach morals to your children. Teaching morals at a young age will prevent your child from becoming a shooter. Teachers cannot stop a school shooting by themselves, because they only see children for a few hours a day. Teachers and school staff must work together to make a difference for our children. However, there are no guarantees that a school shooting will never happen.