In four out of five school shootings, the attacker told people their plans ahead of time. During Say Something Week, Valley Oaks Health is sharing the signs of potential violence and asking you to say something when you see something.
Recognize the signs
Those who have an increased risk of hurting themselves or others often show signs before acting on their violent thoughts. When you know what to look for, you can recognize these signs and prevent something terrible.
Warning signs can include:
- Withdrawing from people and activities
- Consistent bullying of others or being bullied by others
- Extreme mood or personality changes
- Talking about plans to harm themselves or others
- Bringing a weapon to school
- Recruiting others to join an act of violence
- Warning students to stay away from schools or events
Take it serious, act immediately
Students that recognize any of this behavior should talk to a trusted adult immediately. If you are a teacher or adult that is concerned for a student, reach out to the proper channels (school administrators, law enforcement, etc.) as soon as possible. Acting quickly can prevent a terrible situation.
Say something
Whether it’s speaking up about a potential danger or sharing the warning signs with others, it’s important to say something about school violence. By standing up and speaking out, you can build a safer, more supportive community.
