In recent weeks, there has been a clear rise in mass shootings in American schools. Firearms are currently the leading cause of death for children in the United States, surpassing motor vehicle accidents. As of April 12th there have been 140 mass shootings in the US, significantly more than the number of calendar days so far this year. Many of these incidents have taken place at school.
In addition to those killed and injured in school shootings, the trauma children face after is significant. A poll found three in five teenagers in the US fear a shooting will occur at their school. Among survivors of school shootings, prescriptions of antidepressants has increased and many schools have implemented strategies to help students cope with the stress associated with mass shootings.
By Justin Goldberg