How are schools supporting students after shootings?

Dear Reader,

When serious and upsetting events happen in schools, people can have vastly different emotional responses. In events of gun violence, schools vary in the type of support they provide. There are many people at a school that can help students navigate these concerns, including school counselors or social workers, mental health providers like therapists or psychologists, educators, mentors, friends, parents, and fellow survivors. These figures range in the type of support they provide. Some can provide direct intervention, while others can provide a safe space for conversation and refer to outside resources.  

It’s important to keep in mind that healing is an individual process that looks different for each person. When a community is affected by gun violence, students may need different levels of support, and some may take longer to recover than others. For some, recovery looks like attending school normally again. For others, healing may turn into active advocacy against gun violence. Some schools might also hold community events or engage in discussions on how to keep their community safe. Whether you’re looking for support at school or outside of it, know that help is available.  

How do schools respond to the emotional impact of gun violence? 

A school’s response to gun violence can depend on many factors, including the direct impact of gun violence and the resources they have available for student mental health. While there’s no single guideline for schools or universities, organizations like the National Education Association (NEA) work with gun safety and mental health groups to provide suggestions.  

After a gun violence incident, the NEA suggests school staff to follow the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines to communicate to students. This includes empathy, naming the concern without graphic detail, and understanding how grief and loss may show up.  

In the weeks and months after a school shooting, schools can continue to offer mental health support and connect students to resources outside of school. For students who may have experienced gun violence firsthand, they may need additional mental health and academic support.  

What school-based mental health resources are available in response to gun violence? 

Schools may offer a variety of mental health support, depending on the resources they have available. This can range from unlicensed coaches and guidance counselors to teams of licensed psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, and other providers. It’s important to check with your school to make sure that they have licensed professionals providing mental health support. If licensed providers aren’t available within your school, someone may refer you to a provider off-campus. Some schools may also create additional emergency resources available at the school or within the community.  

At first, reaching out for help from a mental health professional may feel challenging or uncomfortable. Talking with a trusted health care provider, teacher, mentor, parent, or friend can help students feel supported while navigating longer-term options. School-based activities like holding vigils, assemblies, or tabling may also be a way to help students process these events while being in community with others.  

Other campus resources may include well-being or health promotion offices. These on-campus organizations may run activities throughout the year to support campus mental health, like animal therapy or crafting projects. They may also be able to help connect you to peer support, support groups, or off-campus resources. School-based medical services offices may also be able to help provide direction or connect with resources, too.  

What additional steps can you take to access resources? 

Schools are one great place to look for support. Beyond those resources, there are many options that you can reach out to on your own.  

• Long-term mental health support: Consider finding a therapist. You may want to look for care through your state’s government mental health resources. If you have insurance, verify that the providers you find are in-network with your insurance to reduce costs! 

• Short-term or immediate mental health support: Consider reaching out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Hotline 1-800-985-5990 or dial 988 for immediate mental health support.  

• Peer support: Everytown for Gun Safety is a non-profit and research organization that runs support groups for gun violence survivors. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also provides group and peer support for a wide range of mental health concerns both online and at their local chapters. 
• Culturally informed support: There are many organizations and programs at the federal, state, and local levels that may provide mental health resources. This can include local community centers, non-profits, hospitals, religious organizations, and other institutions.  
• Local support: 211 is a free phoneline in the U.S. that can help people connect to local resources from housing to mental health. Everytown for Gun Safety provides a full guide on how to use 211 to find help. Mental Health America (MHA) and NAMI are also two mental health non-profits that can also help with connecting support in your area.  

Just as there are varied emotional responses to an act of gun violence, there are many resources and supportive pathways that schools and communities may choose to use to help their students feel safer. These sources of support will likely be able to offer some helpful guidance on how to be involved and how to manage emotional well-being during difficult times.