Another school shooting- what can be done?

This week the US had another school shooting in a private elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee, where the perpetrator killed three children and three adults, before being shot by the police. There have been thirty eight mass shootings in the US in 2023 so far, which are defined as events in which at least four people have been killed or injured. A true nightmare for parents and non-parents, school shooting is a nightmarish scenario that no one wants to hear with ‘another’ or ‘yet one more’ in the heading of the story.

As with prior shootings, there will be a public outcry to do something, then debate on Second Amendment, possible bans on certain types of weapons and ammunition, and very little will be done to prevent those shootings in the future. It is clear, however, that in the last shooting, just like in the prior ones, mental health played a role; other common causes include feelings of anger and social isolation. These mental health and social issues can be addressed and increased screening and assistance will probably receive more public support than the Second Amendment debate.

School counselors are already part of the staff in our local schools, they should be trained and supported to provide more mental health screenings, and encourage students to talk about their problems and the problems that they observe in others around them. Schools should have enough counseling staff so that they are able to meet with all students quarterly, providing opportunity to detect and intervene early.