No. More. Mass. Shootings. The Time to Change Is Now.

When mothers send their children away to college in hopes of a better life, the last call they expect to get is the one Brenda Hollins received during the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, November 13, 2022, saying:

“Your son has been shot.”

At that moment, I’m sure Brenda’s world came crashing down. Michael Hollins Jr. had just returned to campus from a school field trip – it seemed he should’ve been safe.?

I could only imagine the grief, worry and fear that gripped her as she waited to find out if her child had survived. Seven innocent students on a journey to get their education and become the adults of tomorrow were shot that night, 3 of whom lost their lives.

Thankfully, Brenda’s son Michael survived the deadly shooting at the University of Virginia. Unfortunately, the parents of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry had to bury their children.?

And the saddest and most horrifying part is this was not the first time.

From Sandy Hook Elementary to Parkland High School to Uvalde Elementary School and beyond, there is a chilling epidemic sweeping our country:

Our children are being killed – often by their peers. A recent study conducted by Columbia University’s Psychiatry Department concluded the reasons for these senseless killings are cultural and social drivers.

It is up to us as parents and community members to put a stop to what’s driving these painful crises.?

There have been over 257 school shootings this year, exceeding the total of 250 in 2021. With the constant news reports and lack of change, it’s no wonder that our youth’s mental health is suffering.

In 2018 and 2019 alone, students at schools where a shooting occurred were put on antidepressants more often than those who were unscathed by violence. The devastating effects school shootings have on students’ mental health are striking, and we must be proactive.

Too often, we are left picking up the broken pieces shattered by the shots of their firearms. A difficult question is continually asked: when will it end?

And the answer is: only once we get proactive about it. Our children are crying out for help, and it is up to schools, universities, parents and community members to hear their call and take action.

We can no longer put mental health on the back burner. Here’s how you can play your part and help prevent school shootings:

1. Prioritize your own mental health. The saying goes, “Children don’t do what you say. They do what you do.” When you take care of your mental health, your children will normalize dealing with feelings instead of sweeping their concerns, anxieties and worries under the rug.?
2. Make wellness a non-elective at your child’s school or college campus. The simple act of breaking the stigma of talking about mental health on campuses can be world-changing. Whether it’s talking frankly about suicide, violence or other ailments that plague today’s youth, it’s time we break the silence.

And as a mental health professional with decades of experience speaking to those who need to hear it most, I can help. Book me as a guest speaker at your or your child’s university so we can stop these senseless killings before they happen.

#collegesanduniversities #campussafety #youthmentalhealth

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Let’s honor the lost lives of our brightest by finally removing the mental health taboo at college campuses. Be proactive and make wellness workshops an essential part of every college experience. And you can start by booking me as a guest speaker at your or your child’s university. Send me a DM to schedule a discovery call to find out how I can help.