Over the course of about a week, three people with ties to mass school shootings died by apparent suicide, bringing to the forefront conversations about the long-term trauma of people who suffer losses from violence.
About a quarter of the people who witness a mass shooting develop post-traumatic stress disorder and a third develop acute stress disorder, according to estimates by the National Center for PTSD, a division of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
While most survivors show resilience, they’re at risk of mental health problems including post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and substance abuse. In fact, mass shooting survivors may be at greater risk for mental health difficulties than those with other traumatic experiences, including those who survive natural disasters
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among school-age children. About 18 percent of high school students considered suicide and 9 percent attempted to take their own lives at least once in 2015, according to the National Association of School Psychologists. However, such tragedies are preventable since those who are considering suicide typically display warning signs. Those signs include suicidal threats, preoccupation with death, changes in behavior, and making final arrangements like giving away prized possessions. Other risk factors include previous suicide attempts; self-injury, such as cutting; mental illness, including depression and substance abuse; and a family history of suicide..
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