School violence: Should the shrinks rush in?

Few things in our contemporary world terrify parents as much as the prospect of serious violence occurring in their school. It seems that hardly a year goes by without a shooting incident at a school somewhere or other. It has become customary for mental health professionals to come to a school in mass when such tragedy strikes. The mental health professionals typically meet with groups of children, providing opportunities for them to debrief and share reactions. Other types of services may also be provided. It is now expected that the shrinks will show up – but does it do any good?

For the first time, a group of researchers in Canada studied this question. (See Szumilas, Magdalena, Wei, Yifeng, Kutcher, Stan. Psychological debriefing in schools. Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) 2010.)  It turns out that psychological debriefing that allows children an opportunity to express their reactions and recall the events if they wish does not help at all. In fact, there is some reason to even worry that in some situations, such an approach may interfere with a child’s effort to overcome the situation. There are some other kinds of interventions that show promise, but more research is needed to know if they will be of help.

Lucy Daniels Center clinicians believe that mental health assistance, properly applied, can have benefits – after all, that’s what we do ourselves. But, we are also aware that mental health professionals have their time and place, and that the people who can most help children at times of high stress are the people with whom they have the most loving and trusting relationships – their parents. The take-home lesson is that just sending in the shrink does not necessarily help!

We have discussed the ways that parents can help children at these times, and we would refer you to a past Ask Lucy Daniels column, or visit the Lucy Daniels Center Web site for a pdf version.

Perhaps you have some thoughts about violence in our schools, and the effect that it has on children. If so, please share them!

– Mental Health Matters! is written by the Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood and posted on the Carolina Parent Magazine's website, the Triangle's family resource - in print for over 21 years!  And online at www.carolinaparent.com.