Ellie Miller knows to arm herself if her school is under attack. She is 8. In fall 2018, Miller’s third-grade class learned what to do in case an active shooter invaded her school. She says her teacher instructed her to pick up a nearby object. This object, whatever it may be, would be Miller’s last defense against an active shooter. If he entered … [Read more...]
Active shooter drills have become common in Pittsburgh-area schools but mental health effects remain unknown
Active Shooter Drills Can Harm Participants’ Mental Health
On today’s program: Pennsylvania's attorney general marks one year since the release of a grand jury report exposing widespread clergy abuse; how sidewalks form an overlooked part of Pittsburgh’s transportation network; a school security expert examines the effectiveness of current protections, and a panel weighs in on the harmful effects of active … [Read more...]
What Are Warning Signs Of Mass Violence, And What Should We Do When We See Them?
After two mass shootings on the same day in two separate American cities, some are talking about whether warning signs were missed. We talk to a psychologist about what behaviors actually are warning signs, and what we should do if we see them. Listen to the segment on Wisconsin Public Radio here. Source: Wisconsin Public Radio Author: … [Read more...]
How suicide prevention may help stop mass killers before they start shooting
A potential predictor of mass shootings is suicidality. Dr. Jillian Peterson shared that her latest analysis showed that 80 percent of the perpetrators were suicidal before the shooting, which she says it is key to understanding their actions. “In every case, this was intended to be their final act. They are murders, but they are murder-suicides. … [Read more...]
The making of a mass shooter: What contributes to a killer opening fire on strangers?
The New Zealand Herald examined findings from The Violence Project's research into potential warning signs of mass shootings. They quote Drs. Peterson and Densley's op-ed in the Los Angeles Times discussing the four common traits between mass shooters. Read their coverage of our findings here. Source: New Zealand Herald Author: Shannon … [Read more...]