Following is the statement of American Psychological Association (APA) President Jessica Henderson Daniel, PhD, on the shooting at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, that has left at least 10 dead:
"As our nation confronts yet another horrific school shooting, it is imperative that we not become inured to these tragedies. We must act as a society to make our schools safe and ensure that students and teachers do not live in fear that they could be next.
“Psychology and psychologists stand ready — once again — to offer those in distress the comfort, guidance and counseling they need to maintain resilience in the midst of such shock and profound grief.
“The American Psychological Association calls for evidence-based solutions to stop the gun violence that has become a public health crisis and is tearing our country apart. These include restricting access to guns for people who are at risk for violence and working with psychologists and other experts to support best practices for keeping our children safe in school.”
Friday’s shooting was the 22nd school shooting so far this year, according to a count by CNN. It was also the 13th since the February massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 dead and sparked a nationwide conversation about gun violence in America.
For people who are suffering distress or just wanting to better understand gun violence, APA offers a variety of resources on its website, including:
Managing your distress in the aftermath of a shooting
Helping children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting
How to talk to children about difficult news and tragedies
How much news coverage is OK for children?
Warning signs of youth violence
Understanding and Preventing Violence Against Teachers
Gun Violence: Prediction, Prevention and Policy (an expert panel report)
APA's Gun Violence Prevention Efforts
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States.
