Psychological Impacts of School Shootings

The shooting in Colorado, sadly, was just the latest classroom shooting.

If you have school–aged kids, they might be feeling some anxiety, despite the fact that school shootings are still extremely unlikely.

John Madden reports.

“Things were business as normal for many schools in the area on Wednesday, but for some kids going to class they may have felt a little anxious in light of another school shooting across the nation but one local psychologist says that’s a normal feeling for them to have.”

“It’s just disheartening that people in the world continue to act out with violence towards children, said Dr. Connie Schnoes a child psychologist at Boys Town.”

It’s the reaction many adults are having today… In light of tuesday’s deadly school shooting in colorado.

Nats of siren

But it’s not just adult grappling with what happened.

“For kids who are already anxious especially for kids who are fearful of shooters, because there are kids who are fearful of shooters in public settings, it’s just going to up that ante.”

Connie Schnoes, a child psychologist at boys town says even through the chances of a school shooting happening are slim, that slight possibility can make kids feel uneasy

“The number of events like this and the number of students and the number of schools and the number of large community places, it’s just such a small small percent, but it still gives them but it could, it just heightens that.”

Things that can heighten anxiety include a child’s exposure to those shootings on places like social media.

So experts say it’s a good idea for parents to try to limit that.

“Once you are exposed to something, it’s now in your brain, you can’t make that go away.”

A parent’s response to the situation is key too.

If you have anxiety over the situation, Schnoes says try and manage it, as not doing so could unlock that same feeling in kids

“So that they don’t send that message that their kids should also be really fearful because they don’t need to be.”

She also says it’s important to remember kids will react differently…

But no matter the reaction, Schnoes says letting them know they are ok, is the best first step to take.

“It’s just really important for parents to be able to look at their kid and be like you’re ok, it’s fine.”