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Violence: A Common Plan Over the past years, we have witnessed a disturbing increase in violence and threats of violence in our nation's schools. The causes behind each of these incidents are unique and complex, and there are clearly no simple answers or magical solutions. However, there are some common sense steps that schools, communities and families can take to help keep our children safe and reduce the risk of future tragedies. Some people may say that the job of a school system is to teach kids, not to deal with "Social Issues." But our schools are not and cannot be isolated from the social issues which face children in today's world. We will do better if the schools confront and address these issues head on and help kids figure out how to deal with real life problems. In addition, we need to educate kids for life, not just test taking, college admissions or future employment. We need to teach them social skills and help them learn to cope with success and failure, frustration and disappointment. By doing so, our educational efforts will ultimately be more successful. Individually, none of the suggestions in my 10 Point Plan will solve the problem of school violence. But collectively, they would represent a significant shift in the philosophy and orientation of our educational system. Our schools are full of troubled kids. By working together parents, teachers and communities can develop effective strategies to identify kids who need help and intervene as early as possible. Such an approach would ultimately lead to safer schools and a better educational experience for our children. 10 POINT PLAN - Identify kids with problems. Most kids who behave violently have a long history of emotional and behavioral problems. In many cases, signs and symptoms of trouble have existed for years. We know a lot about the early warning signs and situational risk factors which can lead to violent behavior. They include intense anger, suicidal thoughts or actions, impulsiveness, history of abuse or neglect, drug or alcohol abuse, fire-setting, bullying stealing, social isolation, cruelty to animals, family problems, depression, low self-esteem. Kids who display such signs and symptoms should be referred for evaluation and treatment by a mental health professional who has specific training, experience and expertise in working with children and adolescents. - Get to really know and monitor kids closely. Smaller classes allow more contact between the teacher and each child. As a result, kids with significant problems are more likely to be identified early. - Reduce access to guns. - Promote tolerance and teach conflict resolution. Starting at an early age, schools need to help kids value each other's differences. We also need to teach kids how to resolve conflicts without violent or aggressive behavior. - Eliminate bullying. Children should be able to go to school without fear of harassment . Bullying creates lifelong problems with self-esteem, and it interferes with learning and school performance. It can also lead to depression and, occasionally, aggressive behavior or violent retaliation. Schools should practice "zero tolerance" for bullying, starting in the early grades. Experience shows that bullying can be fully eliminated with a coordinated and consistent effort. - Provide access to mental health care. We need to do whatever we can to remove barriers to accessing appropriate mental health care. Receiving services in a school-based health center may be easier than going to a private office or a community clinic. We also need to make sure there is adequate funding to support both mental health evaluation and ongoing treatment, when indicated. - Improve awareness and communication. We need to educate kids about the signs and symptoms of mental illness, and encourage them to seek help when needed. We also need to teach our kids to tell us when their friends need help. As we've learned, most kids will tell someone before attempting suicide or engaging in violent or dangerous behavior. When kids hear such boasts, threats or warnings, they need to tell a responsible adult. They should not be put in the position of deciding whether the threat is "serious" or not. - Develop a peer support program. Kids benefit from the opportunity to spend time in a group talking in a preventive manner with other kids about their thoughts, feelings and frustrations. Many kids feel isolated and that they are the only ones with problems. - Expand access to drug and alcohol treatment. We need to identify kids with problems as early as possible. - Enhance parent and community involvement. We know from research and experience that kids do better when parents are involved with their school. Schools need to be integrated with the community. They need to reflect and express the values of that community. Local businesses can also play a valuable role. Mentoring programs. After school jobs and in-service presentations all help kids stay connected to their community. David Fassler, MD is a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist practicing in Burlington, Vermont. He is a member of the Work Group on Consumer Issues of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and is the co-author of "Help Me, I'm Sad: Recognizing, Treating and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression" (Viking Press, 1997)
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