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School Shootings Result in Far Reaching Mental Health Problems Amongst School Children

What started off as a usual day for Luke Smith (name changed) turned into a horrible nightmare within 10 minutes. His class was placed under a lockdown with the students crouching behind the desks. Confused and scared, he and his classmates had no idea what was going on outside, though they were sure that it was not a drill. Only when the SWAT team arrived half an hour later, were they made to raise their hands in the air and let out of the classroom in a single file.

Later they found out that two of their schoolmates had barged into their school with automatic guns and started firing indiscriminately. Eight students were injured while one lost his life. This incident took place on May 7, 2019, at STEM School Highland Ranch, Colorado. Unfortunately, the people of the state had witnessed similar cases in the past, be it the shooting at Aurora Theatre or at St. Columbine’s. Recalling the horrific incident, Smith said that he still gets shivers when he remembers it.

Situations like these are bound to create long-lasting impressions on the minds of young children. They might constantly relive such traumatic events in their minds leading to the development of mental health issues. Dr. Jennifer Hagman, a child psychiatrist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, said that children nowadays experience a new level of stress and apprehension. She added that it is important for parents to keep a watch on their children’s state of mind and try to understand what they are experiencing.

Aftereffects of school shootings

Soon after the incident, several schools near STEM shut down. An environment of uneasy silence prevailed in the neighborhood. Maria Greenwood was at her youngest daughter’s school near STEM when the lockdown took place. Being careful not to create a state of panic, she hugged her daughter and asked her to close her eyes and pray. Greenwood said that her family also prayed together after she reached home. However, the incident had left a strong impression on her daughter’s mind. Three days after the incident, she was still afraid of attending school, thinking that the shooters might strike again and this time at her school.

According to experts, the first and foremost message which needs to be conveyed to students and teachers facing the constant threat of school shootings is that help is always available. Dr. Sarah Davidon, director of research and child and adolescent strategy with the Mental Health Colorado, said that it is important to recognize a child’s sense of anxiety; also that there are several things that can be done to support them. She added that while discussing such incidents with children, one must ensure that they are made to realize that the school is a safe and secure place. According to her, reassurance, routine, and honesty are essential during such incidents.

School shootings may trigger mental health problems

Several studies have shown that incidents such as mass shooting spark mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), anxiety, depression and can even lead to suicides. That is why it is important that more and more communities come together and plan to avoid future problems.

Further adding to her previous statement, Dr. Hagman said that school safety rules, emergency plans, and school security should regularly be discussed with students as well as the authorities. She said that mental health treatment should be available anytime someone needs it. Further, normal everyday routine like proper diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise should be insisted upon as they tend to help students while coping.

David Hughlock, an associate professor of school psychology at the University of Northern Colorado, said that even though parents might feel the need to talk about such incidents with their children, it is important that they are given enough space and freedom to initiate and guide the conversation. Only when they feel comfortable would they open up and talk about their feelings and parents need to wait for that to happen.

As things slowly return to normal, Smith is looking forward to attending school. For him, school is a wonderful place where he gets to interact with people. He added that his schoolmates are like a strongly knit family and help each other overcome difficult situations. In the coming times, school authorities would also have to be alert and pay attention to negative behavior patterns such as bullying and ill treatment of fellow students as these are indictors of mental health issues.

Seeking help for mental health conditions

Teens is a crucial time when the brain is still developing and the body goes through several changes. Children often fail to understand and cope with the feelings and emotions that they experience during this time, which leads to the development of mental health issues and subsequent breakdown. It is therefore important to keep an eye out for children under stress in order to detect mental health problems at an early stage.

If you know someone battling a mental health disorder and looking for licensed mental health facilities in California, get in touch with the Invictus Health Group. Call our 24/7 helpline 866-548-0190 and speak to a member of our team to gain information about credible residential mental health facilities in California. We can help you find the right treatment center offering the most appropriate mental health treatment intervention suited to your requirements. You can also chat online to a representative for further assistance.

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