Fake threats to Maine schools cause real trauma for students, staff

Specialists say the presence of police in full tactical gear and spending hours in class lockdown mode will go away a long-lasting impression on Maine teenagers and employees.

On November 15, cellphone calls claiming an lively shooter was on faculty grounds have been reported at 10 excessive colleges throughout the state. Many college students hid for hours whereas employees members ready for the worst. Others despatched textual content messages to relations, fearing their lives have been in peril.

Licensed scientific social employee Greg Marley, senior director of suicide prevention on the Nationwide Alliance on Psychological Sickness in Maine, mentioned the menace was actual till it was proved in any other case, and every individual affected can have a special response.

“And primarily based on their earlier trauma, their persona, their psychological well being situation, it could possibly be extremely traumatic,” he mentioned, “or it could possibly be simply actually upsetting.”

Marley mentioned it’s vital to not reduce anybody’s expertise, even when it was primarily based on a hoax. He mentioned sustaining a nutritious diet and train together with correct sleep are to not be underrated in stopping college students from falling into despair.

Teenagers can also textual content NAMI-Maine’s disaster hotline at 207-515-8398.

Whereas some colleges have skilled threats earlier than, this was their expertise with “swatting” – the act of calling 911 to report {that a} taking pictures already is happening when it isn’t. Specialists say swatting is supposed to trigger chaos and erode college students’ belief in colleges as a secure haven.

Marley mentioned there shall be some indicators to search for over the approaching weeks.

“But when they’re exhibiting that they’re struggling sleeping, that they’re reactive – they’re emotionally upset, they’re not consuming, they don’t need to return to highschool – these are the indicators that you must actually reply to,” he mentioned.

Marley mentioned mother and father ought to attain out to highschool officers ought to their college students stay fearful, and beneficial that oldsters and college students tour the college collectively to raised perceive the security mechanisms in place. Persistence and time, Marley mentioned, are key.

Picture: Sanford Excessive College by way of faculty web site