By: Tehila Strulowitz

Coming right after students ran along the newly waxed floors, parents were absolutely certain that there were no more 1” binders at Target, and the fumes from the fresh coats of paint in the hallways were still in the air, a student asked the teacher to go to the main office to speak with someone, hid in the bathroom, removed an AR-15 assault rifle and a knife from his backpack, and snuck through the hallways before unleashing a spray of bullets. September 5, 2024, is a day when we add another school shooting to the growing list and write four new names among those who have already died while trying to learn or teach.

The recent horrific events at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, have caused a surge in fear and mental health concerns among children and adults. As a 2021 study by researchers Kira E. Riehm, Ramin Mojtabai, Leslie B. Adams, and their colleagues shows, high levels of fear and anxiety immediately following a school shooting or any form of extreme violence in a school cause children and teenagers to experience symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, even though these experiences are somewhat vicarious. Dr. Aradhana Bela Sood, professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Virginia Commonwealth University, said that while all children could display these kinds of signs following a shooting, researchers have identified younger children as having an increased likelihood of developing signs that meet the criteria for disorders like anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The difference, said Sood, is that younger children haven’t built up shields and space to mentally process traumatic experiences or news because they don’t have as much life experience, leaving them with fewer opportunities to practice those mental processes. Dr. Sood and her fellow researchers also highlighted the dangers of high amounts of social media usage and constantly reading news reports about mass shootings, noting that, at the very least, they can create short-term psychological issues for children living in communities that are not the site of the shooting, with issues like elevated fear and a perception of reduced safety.

Dr. Sood’s message to parents and guardians of children directly or indirectly affected by a mass shooting is that it is crucial for those around the child to be aware and perceptive so that they can be encouraging, caring, and acknowledge the ups and downs that accompany grief. Some tips Sood suggests are giving the child a predictable routine, allowing them to talk about the experience without judgment, and limiting the news they consume about the tragic event. Lastly, parents and guardians should be aware of their own mental health and seek help for themselves if needed.

Most importantly, remember that children of all ages are remarkably resilient. They might initially experience feelings of trauma because of the news, but time heals, and these feelings will decrease.

Disorders related to school shootings, whether experiencing one directly or indirectly, are: acute stress disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse disorder.

If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma-related issues or with mental health in general, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ, or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/

https://jaapl.org/content/51/3/314

https://time.com/6182235/mass-shootings-children-mental-health-anxiety-depression/