If you’ve been a part of the education world for the past several years, you probably don’t find it surprising that active shooter training is a critical part of risk management.
Active shooter training and programs to teach coping skills are not only part of our lives on campus, but also our personal lives. Many students, parents, teachers, and staff members deal with anxiety related to school shootings. We must regain control and find personal balance within this "new normal."
Shooter incidents are sudden, often unpredictable, devastating—and frequent. Since the Sandy Hook massacre of 2012, there have been nearly 2,200 mass shootings. What’s more, over 200 of them have occurred in schools, making gun violence the second most common cause of death for people ages 1–19.
There seems to be no indication of a decline. This back to school season, as teachers and students were starting to kick their excitement into full gear, violence rattled communities in one of the worst weekends our nation has ever seen.
So far in 2019, there have been 283 mass shootings. These events don’t simply affect the lives of those directly involved. Mass shootings rattle communities, and some will argue have transformed the America we live in today.
These violent incidents cause anxiety in adults and adolescents—especially when they occur in public areas such as festivals, shopping malls, and schools. Mental health professionals say that many people live in a general atmosphere of fear and anxiety as these unpredictable events challenge our sense of control and overall safety.
Gun violence is a very real threat. We must develop training and risk management protocols to protect schools and those who come to them each day. Knowledge and preparation are the keys to a strong school community—and to reducing daily anxiety.
Know your school’s active shooter plans. Practice drills, educate parents about your school’s policies, and instill open door policies where employees and students feel safe reporting warning signs. If you don’t have a plan, make establishing one a main priority. And, if your school doesn’t practice shooter drills, work with your local police department to set a date for one. Remember, drills don’t cause fear—being unprepared for a situation does.
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) has recently released a public service announcement, illustrating how easy it is to overlook the warning signs of a troubled student.
This video is in an effort to spread awareness about the organization’s Know The Signs training, which has provided resources for 7.5 million people nationwide. They can access lesson plans, activities, games, and discussions designed to engage and inform students and adults.
SHP’s previous PSA from 2016 won numerous awards and is just as intense, truly illustrating the threat students face everyday at school.
The more your school community knows about the warning signs of gun violence, and the more comfortable and empowered people feel in communicating the indicators to someone in a leadership position, the stronger and safer you will be. But there are also key things you can do to protect your peace of mind and keep anxiety at bay.
Education is key—and can provide a healthy outlet for anxiety. Find ways to contribute by educating others about mass shootings and gun violence preparedness. Volunteer with anti-violence organizations that work to assist victims and spread awareness, or join forces with an aftermath team.
If those outlets don’t speak to you, channel your energy in other positive ways, such as exercise, hobbies, or quiet time where you can reflect. If your fears are extreme, seek support from a professional who can help you reinforce your toolbox with skills and resources to combat anxiety.
Reduce your exposure to media. This tip might sound contradictory since facing fears is often part of the healing process. However, hitting pause on your news intake can help you find your balance and sense of security again. Once you’ve regained control of your emotions, you can re-engage if you so choose.
Be kind to yourself and others. Secondary traumatic stress impacts those who work with others coping with trauma. It often presents the same symptoms as burnout—emotional exhaustion, reduced sense of personal accomplishment, decreased interactions, physical exhaustion, rigid thinking, feeling guilt, muscle and joint pain, and appetite changes to name a few—but the origin is much harder to target.
If you feel you’re suffering from secondary traumatic stress, don’t try to manage it yourself. Seek support from a professional mental health expert. If you suspect a colleague is struggling, encourage him or her to seek professional help too.
If you don’t know where to turn, talk with your healthcare provider for suggestions or try these services.
- Lines for life. A 24/7/365 support service to help with issues related to teens, senior loneliness, substance abuse, and suicide prevention. Texting and phone call services are available.
- Resources from the National Alliance on Mental Health. The site lists resources for depression, suicide and crisis, and financial assistance.
- Better help. An online resource pairing people with local counselors 24/7. Patients can write or blog their feelings and events, set up 30-minute phone calls, or schedule video calls with the counselor they’ve been paired with. There is a monthly fee—however, if it’s not affordable, patients can apply for financial aid. Also, most consumer-driven health care plans will reimburse costs.
This topic is certainly an uncomfortable one and the consequences of these tragic attacks are many. Put protocols in place to help protect your school and always be on the lookout for opportunities to provide education, resources, and support.
Additional ISM Resources:
The Source for Business & Operations Vol. 16 No. 8 Preparing Your School for an Active Shooter
The Source for Private School News Vol. 16 No. 4 Four Basic Safety Drills for Your School
The Source for Business and Operations Vol. 16 No. 1 Creating Your School's Response and Recovery Plans
Additional ISM resources for members:
I&P Vol. 35 No. 12 Does Your Crisis Plan Really Protect Your Students (and School)?
I&P Vol. 35 No. 14 Developing Your Business Continuation Plan
