In the Wake of Uvalde
The nation was shaken following the traumatic Uvalde school shootings on May 29, 2022, resulting in the fatality of 19 students and 2 adults.[1] Parents, students, and teachers listened in shock to the reports of a joyous day of honor roll celebrations ending in such startling tragedy.[2] Annual preparations for a relaxing summer slowed to a halt as the country took time to mourn.
In the days that followed, parents across the nation chose not to send their children to school.[3-5] This abrupt transition to summer now leaves some parents wondering how to reconcile these events and approach the coming school year. Even though most students and parents were not in physical proximity to this crisis, evidence shows that repeated exposure to school shootings on the news is having an impact on mental health.
It's important to recognize that these events are not occurring in isolation but are instead following a series of national struggles including the COVID-19 pandemic, devastating wildfires, destructive hurricanes, economic uncertainty, and equal rights protests.[6] Roxane Cohen Silver, PhD describes these experiences as “a cascade of collective trauma,” in which, “our reserves are depleted as a nation, and our young people are suffering.”[7]
In an interview with US News, the director of the Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program at UCLA’s Semel Institute explained that the increase in violence at schools is impacting all children, saying, “You don’t have to be where the acute distress occurred to get acute stress reactions or PTSD… Nationally, kids are asking more and more if it’s safe to go to school.”[8] Repeated exposure to these events on the news has been increasing in recent years. Education Week’s most recent report states that as of July, there have already been 27 school shootings resulting in 83 people either killed or injured in 2022.[9] Additionally, over 900 school shootings have taken place since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary almost ten years ago.[10]
As these events become more common, they can chip away at the sense of safety and security that would normally be expected in a school environment. Even those who are indirectly exposed to a traumatic event, through hours of media exposure, can contribute to the development of PTSD-like symptoms.[11] In a 2018 survey conducted on “Generation Z,” (the generation born between 1997-2012 that is most directly impacted by the rise in these events) 72% of students surveyed stated that they considered school shootings to be a significant source of stress.[12] Adding to the devastation is the sense of loss and confusion at the end of an event. Since these shootings often result in the suicide of the shooter, the public is left without answers as to the motivation of the violence or what could have been done to prevent it, which can have long-term psychological impact even to those who do not directly experience it.[13] The persistent exposure to these topics in the media can lead to a cycle called, “perseverative cognition,” in which exposure to violence in the media causes distress, leading an individual to worry about future violence, which causes the individual to consume more media.[14]
The impact school shootings have on children throughout the nation can be found dating as far back as the Columbine tragedy in 1999; when a sample of high school students who were not directly involved with the event indicated a 30% increase that they “did not feel safe returning to school” and absences of students due to safety concerns were 2.6 times higher in the days that followed the tragedy.[15] This statistic is backed by a 2014 analysis of Twitter accounts following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy in Newton, Connecticut, which showed that while distance and time from the physical event may have decreased the use of words related to sadness, the use of words related to anxiety actually increased.[16] This increase in anxiety may be due to a phenomenon called, “psychological proximity,” which can cause people to become more severely impacted by an event if they are able to identify with the victims.[17]
Increased access to instant news and updates through social media is broadening the impact these events have on a national level. In the week following the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in 2012, three million tweets circled the globe with some providing instant access to graphic images of the scene.[18] Recent decades have drastically changed our access to information, with the emergence of devices that allow people to simultaneously receive and stream information about tragic events twenty-four hours per day.[19] This was illustrated when teenagers caught in the middle of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting used their personal smartphones to live stream and tweet their own experiences.[20] These events illustrate how the public is increasingly gaining access to details in near real time, which can simulate personally experiencing the tragedy.
All of this raises the question of how to move forward. In the wake of yet another school tragedy, how can students and parents address the fear that arises from beginning another school year?
Preparing Students to Return
While the initial instinct may be to shelter children from school tragedies, current evidence indicates that children are able to better process the news when it comes from parents than when they learn about it through peers or social media.[21] Parents need to approach the topic of returning to school differently with children depending on their age. Kary Kunzelman, who supervises a mental health outpatient program in Butler County, Ohio, called Community First Solutions, warns that parents should monitor how they are reacting to the news of events because even if parents believe they are shielding children by not discussing the news, children can often tell that something is wrong and that their parents are behaving differently.[22]
For younger children, parents can start the discussion by asking them how they feel about returning to school and helping them find words that describe their feelings such as sad, angry, or frightened.[23] Experts recommend discussing these topics, in a simple factual manner, because it is important for them to see that there is language that can be used to describe these feelings.[24]
Children should be reassured that adults in their lives have plans in place to keep them safe.[25] They will trust adults more if they provide truthful answers, so it’s important to state that even though schools are generally safe places, there are still risks.[26] Parents can review with their children the plans that are in place at school if a dangerous situation develops and allow children to explain what they would do.[27] This is not only an opportunity to review safety procedures but can also empower students by helping them understand that they have some control in the situation.
With younger children, it’s also important to limit exposure to the news when new events occur since they may lack the skills to process events in the way they were intended to be perceived. For example, in the days following September 11, 2001, children watching the events unfold on television interpreted the replayed footage to mean that hundreds of planes were repeatedly flying into buildings.[28] If elementary school children want to see images of an event to know and understand what is going on, parents can choose photos that focus on positive contributions, such as showing relief efforts aimed at helping the families.[29] This will provide reassurance that there are people helping in bad situations and that things can be done to make a situation better.
Tweens and young teens are likely already familiar with recent tragic events and have heard various versions from friends and social media. Start by checking in with them about their feelings towards returning to school. It’s best to hear what they have to say and discuss any concerns they have while being careful not to interrupt and respectfully correcting misunderstandings.[30] At this age, if students are concerned, they can look for ways to get involved that would be age appropriate.[31] Based on their interests, they can volunteer in the community or work with school clubs to find solutions for concerns they have about the school environment.
With teenagers who are aware of these events and are learning about them on social media, it is alright for caregivers to share feelings about the situation, while also modeling positive ways to cope with these feelings.[32] Natalie Lareos, a teenager in South Los Angeles told the press that whenever she enters the classroom, or any public place, she now looks for a place to hide.[33] Teens are reaching the age where they are trying to solve their own problems, and adults in their lives can help them find proactive ways for them to advocate for solutions. Parents can speak with teenagers about what solutions they think would help to solve the problem and search together to find organizations that are advocating for that approach.[34] By volunteering, donating, and learning about solutions, teens focus their energy on advocacy - which is a mature coping mechanism to help address their concerns.[35]
Another common reaction for children of all ages is having no reaction. While some children may want to discuss these events, others may take a while to process their thoughts and will not exhibit reactions until much later.[36] Children who were not initially affected by this tragedy may now express new concern about returning to the school building in the fall. In this case, make sure they know a parent or guardian is available to talk or answer questions if they want to discuss it later.[37] A 2020-2021 analysis (utilizing survey data from 2015 and 2016) of 2,263 teenagers showed that concern about school shootings was correlated with “heightened odds of meeting borderline/clinical criteria for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder six months later,”[38] illustrating how the impact may be extended over longer periods of time.
If a child has a history of anxiety or trauma, parents should monitor the child for signs of difficulty coping such as physical complaints, changes in behavior, or difficulty sleeping, to see if professional services may be needed.[39] Even if a child does not have a history of trauma or anxiety, exposure to a singular traumatic event can have lasting consequences. Professionals trained to work with youth can use specialized techniques, like play therapy, which can help children who may not be able to form words to explain what they are feeling.[40] If parents or guardians believe their children are struggling to process their feelings, it is best to seek out professional assistance to determine if counseling or other services may be needed.
There is no easy solution to the issue of gun violence in schools. While parents debate their comfort levels of sending their children back into a school environment, it is worth remembering the need to provide consistency. Unpredictable situations can cause fear for children, so it is important for parents to try to keep their routines as normal as possible, whether in a home or school environment, so that they can experience the comfort of normalcy that can be found through consistency.[41]
Helping Parents Cope with Fear
Prior to Uvalde, in 2018, reports already showed that parental concern over school shootings had reached a two-decade high. In the same year, 54% of parents surveyed reported that additional funding to increase school safety was a top priority, and 44% reported they were “very worried” about an active shooter.[42] With the recent events at the end of the last school year, these fears have only increased. The morning after the Uvalde tragedy, parents throughout the country grappled with the decision of whether to send their children to school. Stories filled the media from places like Encino, where the mother of two elementary school boys chose to keep them home that day, while another mother in Long Beach dropped off her first grader at school and then went to her car and cried.[43] Now, as a new school year approaches, parents find themselves struggling with the decision to either send their children back to the school environment, or return to the homeschool option that many families grew accustomed to during the pandemic.[44] Interest in homeschooling has grown so much this summer that the Deputy Director of the Texas Homeschool Coalition, Jeremy Newman, told NBC News that a June convention showcasing their program was “packed to the brim this year,” and explained that school shootings have historically led to a rise in inquiries.[45]
Yet parents may find themselves questioning this instinctive desire to switch back to a home environment when they hear multiple reports from experts warning of the damaging mental health impacts that missing in-person education has had on youth. On December 7, 2021, the US Surgeon General issued an advisory warning that the youth’s mental health crisis is growing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[46] This statement is supported by a global study of 80,000 children which found that symptoms of depression and anxiety doubled during the pandemic, and attributes part of these impacts to the months of missed in-person education, as well as missing significant events such as first days of school or graduation ceremonies.[47] Similarly, a recent CDC survey found that high school students who reported having a close relationship with someone at school during the pandemic had “significantly lower prevalence of poor mental health,” (28.4% versus 45.2%)[48] Trying to resolve this simultaneous and seemingly contradictory information on both the dangers and benefits of in-person education can leave parents feeling confused as they struggle to determine how to protect both the physical and mental health of their children.
As parents search for the balance between these two choices, more products are emerging on the market to address these fears, such as the production of bulletproof backpacks, which adds more options, and perhaps more confusion, to this already difficult decision. The day after the Uvalde shooting the company Bulletproof Zone reached their highest sales record to date.[49] This purchase trend continued over the summer with Steve Naramore, owner of TuffyPacks, a company which produces bulletproof backpacks and inserts, stating his company has seen an increase in sales of 300 to 500 percent.[50] These products add more options for parents to consider while navigating the complex choices of the coming school year as they are often still working through processing their own fears.
While navigating this complex barrage of decisions, parents should be careful to monitor their own levels of anxiety and mental health.[51] If someone finds themselves obsessively thinking about potential school threats, and it is beginning to manifest in ways that are unhealthy, the first step is to limit any exposure to news or social media sources that may be drawing their attention back to the topic and repeatedly reminding them of their fears.[52] It’s important for parents to question sources of information and try to evaluate whether this information is helping them move forward and make important decisions or holding them back and reminding them of why they are afraid.
Parents need to make time to process their own feelings and fears that arise from these situations. Monitoring thoughts and listening to their bodies can help to become aware of how they are personally responding.[53] Mental health counselor Stephanie Moir recommends experiencing these emotions, but warns about the dangers of getting stuck, advising that listening to music, writing about thoughts, or drawing a picture may help to pull a person out of the overthinking phase.[54] Talking to friends and making plans together to work through what is happening in the world is also a productive approach.[55] If a parent is having difficulty and experiencing problematic anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, contacting a mental health professional, such as a psychotherapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, would also provide additional support.
School psychologist Kay Streeter advises caregivers to deal with these events using the Five Ks:[56]
Keep Talking (Talk as a release and to process your own feelings)
Keep Thanking (Appreciate that you are here and there are things in life that are good)
Keep Planning (Engaging in planning provides a sense of control and hope)
Keep Forgiving (Forgiving allows you to let go of anger and move forward)
Keep Breathing (Deep intentional breaths can reduce stress and anxiety)
Parents should take time to process their feelings by using their network of support and avoid making any major life-altering decisions in the immediate days that follow an event.[57] With time, as parents work through their thoughts and talk through situations with their support systems, they will be able to sort through the pros and cons of the coming school year and create a plan that meets the needs of their children and themselves.
Working towards a Solution
One of the debilitating effects of experiencing a traumatic event is the feeling of helplessness and despair that can follow.[58] Strickland (2022) states, “Anxiety is meant to prepare us for action, so channel the worries you are feeling into something proactive you can do.”[59] While the specific solution to school shootings in America is hotly debated, there does not seem to be a disagreement that something needs to change. Parents and older teenagers can use the energy generated from anxiety to work towards solving this problem; getting involved with an organization working to mitigate school shootings in a way that makes sense to them, can be a productive approach.
Advocating for a solution can help to regain a sense of empowerment and remember that it is possible for things to improve. There are multiple organizations working to address this issue at both the local and national level. Finding a group of others who are like-minded to collaborate with and work towards solutions can provide a sense of empowerment. People often make progress towards recovering from trauma when they feel that they have some ability to fight back and take control.[60]
Contributed by: Theresa Nair
Editor: Jennifer (Ghahari) Smith, Ph.D.
* If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of PTSD, click here to access our PTSD Self-Care Tips inforgraphic.
References
1 Strickland M. Idaho capital sun - states newsroom: Parents must be prepared to talk to their kids about school shootings. here are tips on how. Idaho Capital Sun. 2022.
2 Anderson N, Lang MJ, Elwood K, et al. What we know about the victims of the school shooting in Texas. The Washington Post. 2022.
3 Gomez M, Hailey Branson-Potts, Shalby C, Watanabe T. Touched by a tragedy; texas school shooting stirs anxiety, fear in L.A.-area parents. The Los Angeles times. 2022.
4 Chuck E. Bulletproof backpacks, homeschool: With no new gun laws, parents make changes of their own. NBC News. June 12, 2022. Available from: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/uvalde-shooting-parents-feel-no-safe-place-children-rcna32534. Accessed Jul 15, 2022.
5 Weekman K. Parents are facing the "nightmare" choice to send their kids to school after another mass shooting. BuzzFeed News Web site. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kelseyweekman/uvalde-texas-shooting-parent-reactions-social-media. Updated 2022. Accessed Jul 15, 2022.
6 Silver RC, Holman EA, Garfin DR. Coping with cascading collective traumas in the United States. Nature human behaviour. 2021;5(1):4-6. doi:10.1038/s41562-020-00981-x
7 Abrams Z. Stress of mass shootings causing cascade of collective traumas. https://www.apa.org. 2022. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/09/news-mass-shootings-collective-traumas. Accessed Jul 15, 2022.
8 School shootings and their effect on student mental health. Curriculum Review. 2018;58(4):8
9 School shootings this year: How many and where. Education Week. -01-05T18:16:47.67 2022. Available from: https://www.edweek.org/leadership/school-shootings-this-year-how-many-and-where/2022/01. Accessed Jul 11, 2022.
10 Li, Jones & Livingston, Kelly. Teachers face mental health challenges dealing with school shootings. ABC News Web site. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/teachers-face-mental-health-challenges-school-shootings/story?id=85069493. Updated 2022. Accessed Jul 11, 2022.
11 Silver et al., 2021
12 Ibid.
13 Cimolai, Schmitz, J., & Sood, A. B. (2021). Effects of Mass Shootings on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents. Current Psychiatry Reports, 23(3), 12–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01222-2
14 Abrams Z., 2022
15 Cimolai et al., 2021
16 Doré B, Ort L, Braverman O, Ochsner KN. Sadness shifts to anxiety over time and distance from the national tragedy in newtown, connecticut. Psychol Sci. 2015;26(4):363-373. doi: 10.1177/0956797614562218.
17 Abrams Z., 2022
18 Cimolai et al., 2021
19 Silver et al., 2021
20 Cimolai et al., 2021
21 Abrams Z., 2022
22 Denise GC. In wake of mass shootings, health experts warn of mental toll. Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News. 2022.
23 Pearson C. A guide to talking to your children about mass shootings: National desk. The New York times. 2022.
24 Denise GC., 2022
25 Ibid.
26 Strickland M., 2022
27 Ibid.
28 Ibid.
29 Stout C. Chalkbeat: Gun violence: Resources for students, parents, and teachers. Chalkbeat. 2022.
30 Pearson C., 2022
31 Stout C., 2022
32 Pearson C., 2022
33 Gomez et al., 2022
34 Pearson C., 2022
35 Ibid.
36 Stout C., 2022
37 Pearson C., 2022
38 Riehm KE, Mojtabai R, Adams LB, et al. Adolescents’ concerns about school violence or shootings and association with depressive, anxiety, and panic symptoms. JAMA network open. 2021;4(11):e2132131-e2132131. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.32131
39 Strickland M., 2022
40 Hateli B. The effect of non-directive play therapy on reduction of anxiety disorders in young children. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 2021;22(1):140-146. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/capr.12420. Accessed Jul 19, 2022. doi: 10.1002/capr.12420.
41 Strickland M., 2022
42 Sign of the times: Parents so concerned about school safety they are willing to pay for it themselves: New survey shows kids and parents agree: Anxiety runs high over school shootings with the start of new school year; experts cite need for more safe-school solutions. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. 2018.
43 Gomez et al., 2022
44 Chuck E., 2022
45 Ibid.
46 U.S. surgeon general issues advisory on youth mental health crisis further exposed by COVID-19 pandemic. HHS.gov Web site. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/12/07/us-surgeon-general-issues-advisory-on-youth-mental-health-crisis-further-exposed-by-covid-19-pandemic.html. Updated 2021. Accessed July 17, 2022.
47 Protecting Youth Mental Health : the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory. [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]; 2021.
48 Jones SE, Ethier KA, Hertz M, et al. Mental Health, Suicidality, and Connectedness Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January-June 2021. Morbidity and mortality weekly report Supplement. 2022;71(3):16-21. doi:10.15585/mmwr.su7103a3
49 Picket K. Bulletproof backpack companies see record sales hours after texas school shooting. The Washington Times Web site. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/may/31/bulletproof-backpack-companies-see-record-sales-ho/. Updated 2022. Accessed Jul 18, 2022.
50 Chuck E., 2022
51 DOnofrio M. Axios: Coping tips for parents and teachers after the uvalde school shooting. Axios. 2022.
52 Strickland M., 2022
53 DOnofrio M., 2022
54 Vazquez L. Managing your mental health through crises. WFTS Web site. https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/cascading-tragedies-reinforce-need-to-take-care-of-mental-health. Updated 2022. Accessed Jul 18, 2022
55 DOnofrio M., 2022
56 Stout C., 2022
57 Ibid.
58 Strickland M., 2022
59 Ibid.
60 Curriculum Review.