With the rise of school shooting threats across the country and recent crisis events in the state of Georgia, parents are understandably concerned about their teen’s safety and emotional well-being. Navigating these difficult situations can be challenging for both parents and teens, especially when trying to strike a balance between maintaining open communication and avoiding unnecessary alarm. This blog aims to provide helpful tips and resources to guide parents through these conversations as well as considerations for when to seek support.
Supporting Your Teen in the Face of School Shooting Threats: Tips for Parents
Encourage and Empower Teens to Report Concerns
Teens play a crucial role in ensuring their school environment remains safe. In many cases, school shootings have been prevented because a student had the courage to report something concerning they heard or witnessed. While teens may not always want to speak up, parents can help teens consider the potential consequences and benefits.
How to Empower Your Teen:
- Validate Their Concerns: Let your teen know that any information, even if it seems small, can be crucial. A simple statement or suspicious behavior could help prevent tragedy.
- Remove Fear of Retaliation: Ensure that your teen understands there are safe, anonymous ways to report threats. Most schools have protocols for this concern.
- Emphasize Collective Safety: Help them understand that reporting is not about “calling someone out” or “causing more conflict” but protecting themselves and others.
Communicate Accountability and Safety
As parents, it’s important to reinforce the idea that there are systems of accountability in place to handle these situations. It’s common for teens to feel a variety of emotions in the face of threats. On the one hand, they may feel helpless, and on the other hand they may not believe the threats are real. Parents can remind them that schools, law enforcement, and community organizations take these threats seriously and act accordingly.
Talking Points for Parents:
- Discuss Consequences: Parents can explain that individuals who make threats are held accountable, often facing serious legal consequences. One strategy that a parent shared recently was to “cross-talk” (or talk to each other in front of their teen) with their spouse about what happened to a student from another school because of a threat. This provided a way for the teen to hear what happened and be able to choose if they wanted to engage in the conversation.
- Reassure their Safety: While it’s important to address the gravity of threats, remind your teen that most are dealt with swiftly and that there are many people dedicated to keeping them safe.
Have Calm, Open Discussions Without Causing Alarm
Talking to your teen about school shooting threats is delicate, as you don’t want to increase anxiety unnecessarily. The goal is to provide information and support in a way that makes sense for your teen. You know your teen best. Use your intuition about what might be helpful, and consider these tips:
Tips for Navigating the Conversation:
- Start by Asking Questions: Ask your child what they’ve heard and how they’re feeling. This allows you to gauge their level of understanding and anxiety.
- Consider your timing. (i.e. On the way to school may not be the best)
- Provide Reassurance as needed: Ask them if they need anything to feel safe. Emphasize that their school is working hard to keep everyone safe. Reassure them that most threats are not carried out, but it’s important to take precautions.
- Remember that children and teens often mirror their parents’ emotional state. Speaking calmly can help ease their fears.
- Incorporate faith, prayer, quotes, calming/uplifting music, etc within your home if helpful for you or your teen.
- Encourage your teen to limit or stay off of social media completely. Put boundaries in place that feel best for your family.
Know When to Seek Therapy for Yourself or Your Child
Before seeking therapy, it’s important to make the distinction between what is a healthy reaction to a situation or experience, and what behaviors might need additional support. Some parents feel anxious if their teen is in any sort of discomfort or distress, when they may be responding appropriately to the situation at hand. In other words, mental health can include some distress. Check out these videos by Dr. Becky and Dr. Lisa Damour:
However, therapy can be a helpful resource if you or your child is struggling to cope with ongoing concerns or specific traumatic events.
Signs That Therapy May Be Needed:
- Increased Anxiety: If your child becomes more anxious about attending school or exhibits avoidance behaviors, it may be time to seek help.
- Sleep Issues or Nightmares: Persistent sleep problems or nightmares related to safety concerns are signs of deeper anxiety.
- Difficulty Concentrating or Functioning: If fears about school safety start interfering with daily activities, grades, or social life, consider reaching out for professional support.
- Emotional Outbursts or Withdrawn Behavior: Extreme emotional reactions or isolation may indicate your child is struggling to process their feelings.
For parents, if you find yourself overwhelmed with worry or unsure how to address these concerns with your child, talking to a therapist can help you manage your emotions and find strategies to support your child more effectively.
Conclusion
At The Pursuit, a group of experienced therapists have come together to offer best-in-class counseling services. We prioritize clinical theory, non-judgmental approaches, and effective interventions, treatment plans, and coping skills. We have therapists who specialize in different areas and we strive to find the best match for your unique needs. Are you ready to take the first step in your Pursuit towards a happier, healthier you? We invite you to book your free 20-minute consultation with one of our skilled therapists. Don’t wait; it’s time to invest in your well-being. Simply Book Now to start your Pursuit toward personal growth and positive change today.
By Mary Laughlin APC
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