CDC School Violence Resources
In response to recent campus violence in Virginia, CDC is providing key resources, strategies, and information for coping with a traumatic event, as well as tools for parents, students, and school personnel. We continue to work to increase awareness about violence prevention, youth violence, homicide, and suicide.
CDC's newly redesigned website includes a "School Violence" feature, which links to detailed information on these important topics. A pod cast was also released that discusses important information on coping with the emotional stress of traumatic events such as the recent shootings.
While school shootings are tragic and sobering events, it is important to remember that thankfully, these are rare events. CDC is committed to helping to ensure that schools remain a very safe place for learning, socializing, and working. Injury prevention is a priority across all of CDC. This emphasis is found throughout CDC's goals, and in particular in our Healthy Places Goals: "Prevent injuries and violence and their consequences in communities," "Prevent work-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses," and "Prevent injuries and violence, and their consequences, among people in institutions."
Violence is not a one-person, one-community, or one-program problem. It is critical to build networks of communication, education, and awareness within families, communities, schools, and healthcare environments.
This event highlights the important public health work we do every day. As the CDC community moves forward, let us remember these tragic events and reaffirm our commitment to protect and promote a safe and healthy world.
To watch the podcast or access information on violence prevention, please visit the sites listed here.
· Learn tips for coping with stress after a traumatic event
· Get the facts about school-associated violent deaths
SAMHSA Helping Communities In The Wake Of Tragedy
As the Nation comes to grips with recent campus violence in Virginia, now more than ever it is important for community members to take a moment with their families, friends, and neighbors to provide support to each other and open a discussion among all groups to prevent a tragedy like this from happening in the future.
There may be individuals in your community who are suffering from mental illness and/or problems with substance abuse. Sadly, these individuals can go unnoticed and not get the help they need. It is important that we work together to recognize and support members of our communities who may be struggling with feelings of isolation or helplessness.
In an effort to address such issues, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, has created a special edition of its "Keeping Our Eye on Prevention" communiqué that offers a starting point for increasing community awareness about how to effectively deal with mental health problems and/or substance abuse issues in the aftermath of a violent event. Read more about understanding Mental Illnesses.
Violence Prevention Resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
On the AAP's website, a list has been posted of resources for parents, teachers, students, schools, and pediatricians to address how to cope in the aftermath of recent campus violence, as well as topics such as violence prevention, school safety, and mental health promotion. We developed this list of resources with the intention of being both comprehensive and concise. As new information emerges, we can add resources to the site as appropriate.
For additional information, please contact Kevin Stanton at (617) 725-3363 or email: Kevin.Stanton@state.ma.us