The Facts
“Persons who committed public mass shootings in the U.S. over the last half century were commonly troubled by personal trauma before their shooting incidents, nearly always in a state of crisis at the time, and, in most cases, engaged in leaking their plans before opening fire. Suicidality was found to be a strong predictor of perpetration of mass shootings K-12 students who engaged in mass shootings were found to be suicidal in 92% of instances and college/university students who engaged in mass shooting suicidal 100% of the time. Early intervention through school-based services may be a key component of early prevention.”
(excerpt from National Institute of Justice, The Violence Project database, February 3, 2022; link https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/public-mass-shootings-database-amasses-details-half-century-us-mass-shootings
What can we do?
While mass shootings often intensify the debate on appropriate gun control what is undebatable is the fact that children/ youth are experiencing a mental health epidemic with huge increases noted in suicidal behaviors, emergency room visits for Mental Health problems, and, yes, even violent behavior including mass shootings. Currently, 1 in 5 students will experience a mental health disorder during their school years and yet the majority of schools and colleges do not conduct universal screening for these difficulties, nor do they offer comprehensive services to support those in need.
Universal behavioral health screening, early identification and treatment, and three tier models of prevention/ intervention are effective approaches for supporting the mental health of our youth. Implementing effective Mental Health support models in schools and colleges across the county holds the promise of not only reducing mass shootings but also reducing the misery and pain of millions of children living with un-diagnosed and untreated mental health difficulties.
Educate people about mental health.
One of the biggest challenges we face as a society is the lack of understanding and acceptance of mental health. This leads to stigma, discrimination, and even violence against those who suffer from mental health.
Advocate.
Be proactive – contact your local school districts, colleges, and universities. Reach out to law makers at both the state and federal level and your local school boards, convey the importance and need for universal health screening, early identification and three tier models of prevention/ intervention are effective approaches for supporting the mental health of our youth.
For more information or to discuss further please reach out to me: jim@mtsnetwork.org