Mental Health and Mass Shootings
As a child therapist, I’ve heard things like; “they’re young or they will get over it” too many times to count. The truth is, that kids are just like adults when it comes to experiencing trauma. While some adults (and children) can experience traumatizing events and present as unaffected, others could be debilitated. With this in mind, it is reckless to think that kids are immune from terror of experiencing and learning about school shootings and its potential to devastate their mental health.
Research shows that increased concern of school shootings predicts an increase in anxiety and panic symptoms in young people. This, along with the increased worry of mass-killings can cause post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression, especially in those who live in a close proximity of a school shooting.
Hearing news of another mass shooting and moving through our routine without missing a beat won’t do. Scrolling to the next video and telling ourselves that “they’re kids, they’ll get over it” is harmful and irresponsible.
We must let ourselves, and our kids, sit with the emotions that come after hearing the news that another family has to bury a child after a school shooting. We can’t lie and say everything’s okay after another Sandy Hook or Uvalde happens. And we can’t turn our heads as a student goes through yet another mass shooting before they graduate college.
Tips for helping your kids with difficult news
- Ask them what they know. Don’t assume that they know or don’t know what is going on, let them tell you and then fill in the gaps with age-appropriate facts. If they don’t quite grasp the concept of death, this may be a time to begin this discussion if they are ready.
- Brace for anxiety. Give them tools to deal with the difficulty even if they don’t express worry. We are raising our children in a different society where gun violence is the norm. Teach and model coping skills for managing anxiety such as deep breathing or grounding.
- Be sad. While sadness and depression are not always helpful, it exists for a reason. We must show that it’s okay to be sad about another child being murdered. Sadness about this shows that we are humans with empathy.
- Let them use their voice. If your child is particularly affected by these tragedies, give them ways to help. Let them write a letter to their congressperson or senator. Show them resources online like sandyhookpromise.org. Let them share with others. While they may not be able to change the world now, they soon will.
- Seek help from a professional. There are plenty of resources to help your kid if they need more help. Talk with your school counselor or find a child therapist.
Reference:
https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/school-shootings-and-student-mental-health.p stats of rise of shootings