Safeguarding Our Future: From Maine's Wake-Up Call to a Blueprint for Student Support

When people hear the term “AR” they just don’t think of chemistry class anymore

The collective attention of northeasterners was taken last week, as not one but two significantly dangerous people were on the run.  To date, only one of these shooters has been found, and not that one is any more dangerous than the other – but it was the guy who shot and killed 18 in Lewiston, Maine.  When you hear about these things, they are like a punch in the gut.  A husband and father in Gardner, MA, engaged in a horrific act of violence in his own home.  In Maine, the guy behind the trigger was a military sergeant, and reports indicate that he was struggling with some serious mental health issues.

Whether you are one to blame the guns, the individuals, the mental health system, or all three, or anything else…the bottom line is that people were hurt, people were killed, and those who lived through it will have altered lives forever.  Whatever has to be done to prevent tragedies rather than mourn them - I am up for it. The donkeys and the elephants kinda need to work together on this one.

I’ve seen my fair share of dangerous situations and have had to organize school community responses to many.  We spend a lot of time and resources – doing our best to be prepared for just about anything.  I think that everyone must realize, though, that school safety extends far beyond the physical measures of locked doors and emergency-preparedness drills. Yes, these are important components of a secure environment, and they are known to be effective reactive strategies that address the immediate dangers. But to truly nurture a safe school atmosphere, we must also look proactively at the mental and behavioral health system within our educational institutions.

The essence of comprehensive school safety is creating an environment where students feel supported, understood, and cared for. It's about ensuring that each student has access to mental health resources, like school adjustment counselors, and that these professionals are integrated into the school's fabric. These experts play a crucial role in early detection and intervention for students struggling with issues that could lead to more significant problems if left unaddressed.

Talk it out rather than act out

When students are given the tools to manage their emotional and mental well-being, they are less likely to reach a point of desperation that could result in a tragedy. Programs that teach emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and stress management can equip students with the resilience they need to navigate challenges.  Regular mental health screenings, just like vision and hearing tests, should be normalized, destigmatizing the pursuit of help.

Furthermore, fostering a culture of openness and dialogue around mental health can encourage students to speak up when they or their peers are in distress. When our kids feel that they have a voice and their concerns will be taken seriously, they are more likely to report potential risks before they escalate. I want our kids also to be able to talk to meaningful adults about things they are concerned about in their homes and the community.

In 2006, I had a student whose father killed her mother, and then himself. I didn’t know there were such problems in her home - but 17 years later, I still think about what happened that November.

Building strong relationships between students, teachers, and staff is another cornerstone of preventive school safety. When educators are trained to notice changes in student behavior or mood, they can act as an early warning system. This relational approach, where students are known and seen, ensures that struggling students do not go unnoticed.

Investing in robust mental and behavioral health services is a testament to the understanding that school safety is not just about responding to emergencies but also preventing them. By prioritizing the mental and emotional health of students, schools become safer places for everyone—places where learning and growth are fostered in a truly secure, nurturing environment.