Mass Shootings Are A World-Wide Threat For Young People

Facts pile up at an archive on gun violence that are stacked up against US children, teens, and young adults not only during horrific tragedies we are now experiencing but long afterwards, especially when shootings occur at their schools. The findings of researchers at Stanford University indicate a higher rate of antidepressant use among those exposed to a school shooting in the years following gun violence. School shootings lead to drops in student enrollment and a decline in average test scores. They also lead to an increase in student absenteeism and the likelihood of repeating a grade. Such students subjected to these school shootings and traumas are less likely to graduate high school, go to college, and graduate college. Their economic futures are threatened as they are less likely to be employed and have lower earnings in their mid-twenties. These findings show that mass shootings stunt the growth and development of young people who are traumatized by gun violence.

A quick look at domestic attacks of gun violence in the US in 2023 reveals at least 565 incidents of mass murder in which there were four or more people shot to death across the country-a growing trend ubiquitous within the fabric of American society-that includes places of worship, movie theaters, grocery stores, schools, shopping centers, and many other locations where people congregate to learn, to recreate, and to work.

Recently, we commemorated the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. Another major egregious assault is the Israel-Hamas War begun on October 7, 2023, where thousands are dead on both sides of the border. In Gaza, a majority of inhabitants are 18 years of age and under. Teens were attacked in Israel at a music festival during a holiday celebration. Amongst other victims, there are reports of barbarism of girls being raped and killed, while others, including babies, were beheaded, were maimed with limbs blown off and set on fire. Schools were infiltrated by terrorists, and children were held hostage. Our young people are targets for mass shootings as society wastes their gifts and talents.

Speaking Points Relating To Mass Shooting In Maine

In the US, on October 25, 2023, an attack by an armed shooter, a domestic terrorist, who was trained in military tactics and the use of firearms for war, killed 18 people, one a tenager, in a bowling alley during youth night and others in a bar in Lewiston, Maine.

I was called to be interviewed on LiveNOW from FOX on Friday, October 27 at 4:30 pm, before the suspect was apprehended, to make suggestions on how to help teens process their grief of the shooting. As a behavioral health RN, clinical hypnosis specialist, historian, and peak peformance coach who works with young people and trauma, I asked myself: What could I say that hasn't been said before to give hope and provide healing during the horrendous situation in Maine?

• I spoke about how the citizens of Maine believed they lived in a safe haven because crime rates are low there as compared to NYC and Chicago, so this attack came as a great shock that threatened their way of life in their communities. However, with the first shots heard "in their own backyards," the reality set in, and they knew instantly that such shoootings in 2023 can happen anywhere, even in kndergartens. No one is safe which makes us all fearful.
• I mentioned during the TV interview that questions arise during times of gun violence, and people ask if it could have been prevented. In this case, there were yellow flags known by the military and his family members that should have warned us of the potential of an attack because of the shooter's mental disturbance and his threats to others before it happened.
• In their grief, people look back and say that they should have been better prepared to avoid being a victim. However, in this case, just as in Israel, where residents have bomb shelters in their homes and practice runs for emergencies, they were put off-guard and were taken advantage of by the element of surprise. Most had nowhere to run, except for a bowler who had just arrived at the scene, saw the shooter, and ran for the pin machine, hiding there in safety until the police came.
• As far as what parents can do and say when talking to their teens about the catastrophe, I stated during the interview that the most important thing is that they manage their own emotions first before they address the shooting with their teens. In this situation less is more when it comes to sharing their feelings as parents, especially when they were the main caregivers and the "first responders" in the absence of healthcare providers during the lockdown.
• I suggested that parents put themselves into their teens' shoes and understand what their lived experiences were during the shooting, that is, what they witnessed through their own eyes before they approach the conversation with their teens. This is especially important for those teens present at the shooting. In this way, parents can permit their teens to express their feelings and thoughts freely without censorship.
• Other parental roles would be to thoughtfully correct any misconceptions the teens may have when remembering the incident emotionally.
• I spoke about how teens need to hear that they are loved and are safe, that all TV and Internet news should be turned off, and that regular schedules should be followed as best as possible.
• Since the shooter was not yet found dead as of the time of the interview, I spoke about how vigils and prayer meetings should be set after lockdown so everyone in the community can bond, respect the victims, and begin the healing process. In addition, I noted that parents should be vigilant of their teens at night when the dreams they are having about the shooting become reality.  

A Lived Experience: When Dreams become Nighmares

The reason I know about how during the night, dreams, which are purely subconscious and free of censorship from the conscious mind, will drift up to the surface in the form of nightmares is because it was my lived experience after I had a series of four miscarriages years ago.

At that time, there was no mental health support, individually or in gourps. Everyone said the losses were God's will, and I would get over them. However, this was not the truth because for years, on the anniversary dates of the miscarriages, I would awake in the middle of the night from dreaming of losing these babies, even though I was not aware of them during the daytime.

It was not until I worked through the traumas with the opportunity of having a D&C (Dilitation and Curettage) for a reason other than miscarriage that I released them with self-hypnosis and meditation, as well as through the use of imagery in a garden filled with butterflies, where I said goodbye and freed myself to move forword. In similar ways, this willl be true for the survivors in Maine.

What Happened In the Aftermath of the Mass Shooting?

What occurred after the mass shooting in Maine is no surprise. In the aftermath, pundits on TV said that there is little hope for the future, and that, as in other incidents of domestic terrorism, mass shootings will contiue after the prayer meetings, the vigils in the community, the short-term trauma care, and a Presidential visit to grieve.

Others added that the shooter was identified as being dangerous and armed, and should have been denied ownership of guns, at least temporarily. However, after the news cycle moved on to another tragedy, all was forgotten except for the trauma sustained, leaving us hopeless for the future once again. 

There is Hope for the Hopeless

Even though our mental health resources are heavily burdened and compromised with a broken system, high rates of anxiety, depression, drug addiction, and suicide of our young people, I remain an optimist. This is because hope rests not in an antiquated medical model, but in the hands and minds of our younger generations who can make a difference as advocates for mental health and freedom from terrorism that has plagued them since they were born.

This is what we've learned from interviews with Gen Zs, who say that they are tired of such violence, damage to the globe, an old-world order, and lack of diversity. They demand a new work environment with a 4-day work week, meditation, fitness, and yoga studios, and work-life balance that sets them up to be the change they wish to see.

How the Brain and Growth of the Mind Saves the Day

As tragedy turns into triumph, after the shootings have taken place, our young people, through the natural gowth and development of linkages in their brains, especially for teens and young adults, can benefit by becoming resilient with the use of Mindful Toughness skillsets, like the ones I teach in my book: Wrestling Through Adversity: Empowering Children, Teens, & Young Adults to Win in Life. The good news is that these linkages between the two hemispheres expand to full maturity from around age 12 through to age 25.

This growth of the brain enables them to understand metaphors and use imagery and visualiations to heal on a subconscious level, where all healing takes place. That is, with guidance and support from caring adults in the way that Martin Luther King envisioned by saying: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

A New Mental Health Paradigm is Needed

A new paradigm for mental health care is imperative in the 21st century and must begin somewhere in light and love and with someone because history repeats itself. With this in mind, who will step forward to rethink how to help younger generations to help themselves for a successful future before it is too late?

To learn more about my programs and how I work with teens, view my YouTube video Winning Ways For Teens.