Helping Students Cope with Anxiety About School Shootings

In the aftermath of a school or mass shooting, it’s normal for students to be afraid and become anxious about the possibility of a shooting at their school. Even after the news of the latest shooting fades, active shooter drills can reignite those fears. Educators can play a critical role in helping their students cope by:

• Promoting various emotional outlets for children, including art, music, sports, writing, games, and activities;
• Encouraging them to talk about their feelings routinely; and 
• Initiating one-on-one check-ins if they appear to be having a hard time.

Many educators may be concerned about discussing traumatic events and death; they may be afraid that raising the topic will upset students. However, the Coalition to Support Grieving Students—an organization of which NEA was a founding member—believes saying nothing can convey negative messages, including perceived insensitivity and disapproval. By speaking up, educators can let students know they recognize their situation and want to be supportive.

Talking to Students After a Shooting

Reassure children that they are safe

Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.

Create time to listen and be available to talk

Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient. Children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings. 

Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate

• Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day. 

• Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools. 

• Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs. 

Review school safety procedures

This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk. 

Observe children’s emotional state

Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional right away if you are at all concerned. 

Limit media exposure

Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Monitor what kids are viewing online and how they are consuming information about the event through social media. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood. 

Maintain a normal routine

Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed. 

A lot of these tips can also be applied to educators — to take proper care of their students, they must first take care of themselves. 

Key Topics When Talking About an Incident

Following a gun violence incident, educators and families alike will be faced with questions and thoughts from students and children about what happened. It is important that, when discussing the following topics, educators and families consider employing these strategies.

Safety

• Keep children and students grounded in the moment.
• Point out locks on doors, alarms, and security features.
• Look into specific safety procedures and precautions, and discuss the specific policies, people, and efforts already in place working to protect them.
• Allow children and students to think through and process their fear of danger.
• Don’t be dismissive of their inquiries, and allow them to further explore their needs.

Gun Violence

• First, ask what they already know.
• Be straightforward and direct but gentle, leaving out graphic detail.
• Affirm this is an uncomfortable topic, and it is okay to be scared. 
• Validate fears while reassuring their safety and reminding them of prevention efforts.
• Acknowledge the complexity of these emotions and encourage students and children to share any thoughts or questions that may later arise.

Trauma

• Observe children’s and students’ behavioral and emotional changes, and practice tolerance for those changes, when appropriate.
• Understand that children, teens, and adults will be struggling with collective trauma that was brought on by gun violence.
• Pay attention to signs that someone is struggling more than they let on; for example, a student or child may experience trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating on schoolwork or chores, or changes in appetite or mood. Consult mental health practitioners.
• Understand what may bring on strong emotions for students and children. Take measures to reduce the risk of exposure to traumatic content.

Grief and Loss

• Take a similar approach to the trauma-related steps outlined above. 
• Use simple terms, and allow students and children to openly react, feel, and lead the conversation.
• Alert students and children of any alterations to their daily routine or schedule.
• Understand that persisting changes in behavior or concerning reactions may warrant professional attention.