About Mental Health Impact of School Drills
The growing prevalence of active shooter and emergency drills in schools has raised concerns about the long-lasting anxiety they may inflict on students. Many young students exhibit heightened sensitivity to loud noises and large crowds. It’s essential to guide them through these challenges with empathy and understanding. However, what often goes unnoticed are the sleepless nights that children endure due to decisions made by educational institutions and their adults.
These drills can manifest as nightmares, anxiety, and an overall sense of unease. While it’s important to teach our kids to be prepared, it should not be their responsibility to protect themselves from “bad men” at such a young age. These fear-inducing drills have persisted, occasionally without parental notification, marked by loud alarms and a lack of sensitivity.
Students have faced smoke-filled room simulations, unannounced active shooter drills, and encouragement to prepare to fight back, a responsibility that should not rest on their shoulders.
Children today are dealing with the pressures of modern life, from excessive homework to limited recess time. The addition of these distressing drills only compounds their stress.
Emergency preparedness is crucial, but it can be approached in a way that’s child-friendly. Just as we teach children to stay safe near roads without showing them gruesome accidents, we can educate them about safety without exposing them to the idea of “bad men” invading their schools.
Let’s turn classrooms into safe rooms, spaces where our children can learn, grow, and play without unnecessary fear and anxiety. It is our collective responsibility to protect their innocence and ensure they have a secure and nurturing environment in which to flourish.
