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Used with permission from Mental Health America (www.mentalhealthamerica.net)
School violence and the resulting intense media coverage
bring school safety issues to the forefront for all of us.
However, children, in particular, may experience anxiety,
fear, and a sense of personal risk. Knowing how to talk with
children about school safety issues could be critical in
recognizing and preventing acts of violence and will play
an important role in easing fear and anxieties about their
personal safety.
To guide parents through discussions about school violence,
Mental Health America offers the following suggestions:
1. Encourage children to talk about
their concerns and to express their feelings. Some
children may be hesitant to initiate such conversation,
so you may want to prompt them by asking if they feel safe
at school. When talking with younger children, remember
to talk on their level. For example, they may not understand
the term “violence” but can talk to you about
being afraid or a classmate who is mean to them.
2. Talk honestly about your own feelings
regarding school violence. It is important for
children to recognize they are not dealing with their fears
alone.
3. Validate the children’s feelings. Do
not minimize their concerns. Let them know that serious school
violence is not common, which is why incidents such as
Columbine and Conyers, GA, attract so much media attention.
Stress that schools are safe places. In fact, recent studies
have shown that schools are more secure now than ever before.
4. Empower children to take action regarding school
safety. Encourage them to report specific incidents
(such as bullying, threats, or talk of suicide) and to
develop problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
Encourage older children to actively participate in student-run
anti-violence programs.
 5.
Discuss the safety procedures that are in place at your
children’s school. Explain why visitors
sign in at the principal’s office or certain doors
remain locked during the school day. Help them understand
that such precautions are in place to ensure their safety
and stress the importance of adhering to school rules and
policies.
6. Create safety plans with your children. Help
identify which adults (a friendly secretary, trusted teacher,
or approachable administrator) your children can talk to
if they feel threatened at school. Also ensure that they
know how to reach you (or another family member or friend)
in case of crisis during the school day. Remind children
that they can talk to you anytime they feel threatened.
7. Recognize behavior that may indicate your children
are concerned about returning to school. Younger
children may react to school violence by not wanting to
attend school or participate in school-based activities.
Teens and adolescents may minimize their concerns outwardly,
but may become argumentative, withdrawn, or allow their
school performances to decline.
8. Keep the dialogue going and make school
safety a common topic in family discussions rather than just
a response to an immediate crisis. Open dialogue will encourage
children to share their concerns.
9. Seek help when necessary. If you are
worried about your children’s reactions or have ongoing concerns
about their behaviors or emotions, contact a mental health
professional at school or at your community mental health
center. Your local Mental Health Association or the national
Mental Health Association’s Information Center can
direct you to resources in your community.
These behaviors are signs that children may need help:
- Lack of interest or poor performance in school
- Absence of age-appropriate anger control skills
- Seeing themselves always as the victims
- Persistent disregard for or refusal to follow rules
- Cruelty to pets or other animals
- Artwork or writing that is bleak or violent or that depicts
isolation or anger
- Talking constantly about weapons or violence
- Obsession with violent games and/or TV shows
- Lack of enthusiasm, energy, or motivation
- Carrying a weapon to school
- Overreacting to criticism
- Restlessness and agitation
- Bullying
- Misplaced or unwarranted jealousy
- Involvement with or interest in gangs
- Withdrawal from friends and activities
The more signs you see, the greater the chances your children
need help. Mental Health America’s toll-free Information
Line at 800-969-6642 can help parents and teachers find community
resources. Mental Health America also provides informational
brochures on children’s mental health issues, such
as Teen Survival Guide to Surviving
Stress, Teen Depression,
Coping with Loss, Youth Violence, and What
Every Child Needs for Good Mental Health.
For More Information:
Contact your local Mental Health America affiliate or the
national Mental Health America office. |
