Eight years ago, one of the most heinous school shootings in US history, took place in an elementary school in a small, suburban community in Connecticut. Twenty students and six adults were killed; two were injured. One of the adults killed was school psychologist Mary Sherlach. Her and the school principal, Dawn Hochsprung, were confronted by the shooter upon his entrance into this small, cozy community school. The events of the day rocked the nation and changed how we respond to crisis events in school communities to this day.
Throughout this pandemic, many psychologists and other mental health professionals have brought up the topic of self-care for those struggling with the day-to-day rollercoaster that COVID-19 has brought to our country and our world. But, what if you're a student - or an adult - struggling with mental health crises in the midst of a pandemic? With most schools physically closed for remote learning, many students are isolated from their student services supports; crisis center hotlines are reporting surges in reports of suicidal ideation. In addition, the loneliness that many students are experiencing during this pandemic may lead to potential thoughts of acts of violence against self and others, if students are suffering from mental illness and the prolonged effects of stress and trauma.
As a school psychologist, one of the many tools I can pass on is being aware of the warning signs of school violence, and the role I can play in preventing it:
Warning Signs:
1. Suddenly withdrawing from friends, family and activities (including online or via social media)
2. Making statements or engaging in behavior meant to intimidate or mock others based on real or perceived differences (including race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.)
3. Excessive irritability, lack of patience, or becoming angry quickly
4. Experiencing chronic loneliness or social isolation
5. Expressing persistent thoughts of harming themselves or someone else
6. Making direct threats toward a place, another person, or themselves
7. Bragging about access to guns or weapons
8. Recruiting accomplices or audiences for an attack
9. Directly expressing a threat as a plan
Being connected, even though we're "staying apart," is so important now more than ever. If you work in a school or are a current student, make sure to connect with friends, families and classmates that you haven't seen online or heard from in a while. Although they may not be experiencing intense trauma and stress, connecting with them may just be the highlight of their day; it also may encourage them to keep the lines of communication open, preventing possible signs of stress and trauma.
My heart and prayers are with the Sandy Hook Community today, and all other school communities that have dealt with gun violence. I hope and pray a day will come when that will never be a headline again.
Throughout this pandemic, many psychologists and other mental health professionals have brought up the topic of self-care for those struggling with the day-to-day rollercoaster that COVID-19 has brought to our country and our world. But, what if you're a student - or an adult - struggling with mental health crises in the midst of a pandemic? With most schools physically closed for remote learning, many students are isolated from their student services supports; crisis center hotlines are reporting surges in reports of suicidal ideation. In addition, the loneliness that many students are experiencing during this pandemic may lead to potential thoughts of acts of violence against self and others, if students are suffering from mental illness and the prolonged effects of stress and trauma.
As a school psychologist, one of the many tools I can pass on is being aware of the warning signs of school violence, and the role I can play in preventing it:
Warning Signs:
1. Suddenly withdrawing from friends, family and activities (including online or via social media)
2. Making statements or engaging in behavior meant to intimidate or mock others based on real or perceived differences (including race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.)
3. Excessive irritability, lack of patience, or becoming angry quickly
4. Experiencing chronic loneliness or social isolation
5. Expressing persistent thoughts of harming themselves or someone else
6. Making direct threats toward a place, another person, or themselves
7. Bragging about access to guns or weapons
8. Recruiting accomplices or audiences for an attack
9. Directly expressing a threat as a plan
Being connected, even though we're "staying apart," is so important now more than ever. If you work in a school or are a current student, make sure to connect with friends, families and classmates that you haven't seen online or heard from in a while. Although they may not be experiencing intense trauma and stress, connecting with them may just be the highlight of their day; it also may encourage them to keep the lines of communication open, preventing possible signs of stress and trauma.
My heart and prayers are with the Sandy Hook Community today, and all other school communities that have dealt with gun violence. I hope and pray a day will come when that will never be a headline again.