Short Wave Can The Next School Shooting Be Prevented With Compassion?
Jun 16, 2022
Ritu Chatterjee, NPR's mental health correspondent, dives into the urgent topic of preventing school shootings by focusing on compassion and mental health. She discusses how a school district in Oregon has successfully used a threat assessment strategy for nearly two decades to support at-risk students. The conversation highlights personal stories of youth grappling with anger, bullying, and trauma. Emphasizing compassion and timely intervention, Chatterjee reveals how nurturing environments can redirect troubled youth away from violence.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Threat Assessment Model
- The U.S. Secret Service's threat assessment model identifies at-risk individuals.
- It involves school staff, law enforcement, families, and mental health professionals working together.
Mishka's Transformation
- Mishka, a troubled student, wrote violent Facebook posts after his friends were attacked.
- Intervention by psychologist John Van Driel and support from a mentor helped Mishka turn his life around.
Preventing Youth Violence
- Create safe environments and provide connections and role models for at-risk youth.
- Moving kids from despair to hope prevents violence.