School Shootings: How To Help
Published: Fri, 02/16/18
I spent more than 20 years as a high school
educator before I became a full time trainer and
marketer. And I think I have a pretty good idea
how this, and other school shootings happen.
And there's a pretty good chance you can help
prevent future ones from happening.
Most of the shootings we see - maybe all of them -
are committed by young people who feel isolated
from the people around them.
From their classmates, from their teachers,
from the adults in their lives, from their communities.
And of course most people who feel isolated and
alone won't pick up a weapon and commit murder.
But when we see people do it...when the kind of
tragedy that happened in Florida on Tuesday
becomes part of the regular news, it becomes
something that enters the radar of disturbed people.
It's the old expression: "Hurt people, hurt people."
There will never be enough support people in
schools to address the mental health needs of
today's kids. Trust me...I was there.
But if there are enough adults in the community
who care about kids, especially needy ones with
troubled families, we can change a lot of things
in our society.
Volunteer somewhere. Find a school who could
use a mentor a couple of hours a week. Get
paired up with a kid who needs a stable adult
in their life.
Or be a coach at a local Boys Club or homeless
shelter.
Or just smile and make eye contact with the
kid in your neighborhood who comes from a
difficult home, or seems a little off.
And be willing to listen. That's the most important
thing you can contribute.
And yes, you can change the world.
Sending love to Marjory Stoneman Douglas
High School, and everyone else who is a victim
of gun violence.
Much Love,
Larry