A recent roundtable held by U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee Democrats discussed the long-lasting effects of school shootings on survivors, experts, and educators. The discussion was prompted by a recent school shooting in Georgia, where two students and two teachers were killed. Witnesses highlighted the ongoing psychological trauma experienced by those who survive such attacks.
The roundtable took place around the one-year anniversary of the establishment of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris scheduled to address gun violence later in the week. This year alone, there have been 404 mass shootings in the U.S., according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Educators at the roundtable called for increased funding to help schools address the lasting effects of school shootings. They emphasized the need for continued mental health support and resources to help students and staff recover from trauma. One principal, Frank DeAngelis, who was at Columbine High School during the 1999 shooting, stressed that trauma does not disappear and advocated for ongoing support.
Melissa Alexander, a mother whose son survived a school shooting, shared her son’s experience during the shooting and emphasized the need for action, such as implementing red flag laws, to prevent future tragedies. Despite widespread public support for such measures, state lawmakers have been slow to act.
The roundtable highlighted the need for sustained support, increased funding for mental health services in schools, and proactive measures to prevent future school shootings and support survivors.
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