Recent news and op eds re: mass shootings

In consideration of the recent school shooting in Florida, and related incidents in recent past, EASNA is sharing a sample of news coverage, much of it sourced from the American Psychological Association's news updates.

Stop Blaming School Shootings on Mental Illness, Top Psychologist Warns.

TIME - Feb. 16, 2018 

American Psychological Association President Jessica Henderson Daniel has a message for those: Think twice. "While law enforcement is still piecing together the shooter's motives, some public figures and news reports are focusing on his mental health," Daniel said in a statement Friday.

Trump's language on school shooter's mental health could be harmful, experts say.

CNN - Feb. 22, 2018

The American Psychological Association cautions that it is important to keep gun policy and mental health policy in distinct categories. "Science shows the most consistent and powerful predictor of future violence is a history of violent behavior, not a diagnosable -- or diagnosed -- mental illness.

Why Psychologists and Doctors Can't Diagnose Mass Murderers.

U.S. News & World Report - Feb. 16, 2018

The bible of the field, the fifth edition of "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," or DSM-5, has no chapter on what makes a mass murderer. Instead, the manual squeezes the characteristics of mass murderers into boxes where they don't fit, said Dr. Frank Farley, a former president of the American Psychological Association and a psychologist at Temple University.

The Mental Health System Can't Stop Mass Shooters.

The New York Times - Feb. 20, 2018

SACRAMENTO — A few years ago, the police brought a 21-year-old man into the crisis unit where I work as an emergency psychiatrist. His parents had called the police after

Opening Mental Hospitals Unlikely to Prevent Mass Shootings, Experts Say.

The New York Times - Feb. 22, 2018

President Trump called again on Thursday for the opening of more mental hospitals to help prevent mass murders like the one at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High ...School in Parkland, Fla.

'Fix it': Students and parents tell Trump to address gun violence at schools.

The Washington Post - Feb. 21, 2018

After all of these ideas had been shared, Trump again asked the group whether they could suggest some solutions, prompting one father to call for arming teachers, custodians and librarians. A mother suggested that government agencies need to better communicate about students who are struggling with mental-health problems.

'Is this going to happen here?': After Florida shooting, teens worry about their safety at school.

The Washington Post - Feb. 18, 2018

This type of response isn't limited to high school students, said Robin Gurwitch, a psychologist at Duke University Medical Center. But teenagers are particularly vulnerable.

In an era of school shootings, how can we expect kids to focus on learning?

The Washington Post - Feb. 22, 2018

At some point, we need to recognize the toll that mass shootings take on our collective psyche. In August 2017 — before last fall's mass shootings in Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs, Tex. — the American Psychological Association conducted its "Stress in America" survey and found that "violence and crime" was one of the top five sources of stress.

The Health 202: Gun violence research by the government hasn't been funded in two decades. But that may soon change.

The Washington Post - Feb. 22, 2018

House this week – have given gun-safety advocates fresh hope that the violence in Parkland could create new momentum across the country to enact firearms restrictions, my colleagues Dave Weigel and Wesley Lowery report.

'I would rather not be alone:' Behind their anger, Parkland students struggle with trauma.

The Washington Post - Feb. 21, 2018

Hannah Karcinell, 18, of Parkland, Fla., hugs her mother, Jodi Karcinell, after attending a rally protesting assault weapons. She and her classmates have presented a united front publicly: angry, motivated, political.

This psychologist went to school at Stoneman Douglas. Her advice.

USA TODAY - Feb. 22, 2018

Christine Sylvest, a child psychologist in Rockville, Md., has a unique perspective. She grew up in Coral Springs, Fla., and attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the site of the shooting that left 17 people dead.

5 common reasons lawmakers don't change gun laws.

ABC News - Feb. 21, 2018

Daniel Webster, director of the Center for Gun Policy Research at Johns Hopkins University, said that talking about "mental health" alone is way too broad.

Trump's proposal to arm teachers panned as 'colossally stupid idea'

NBCNews.com - Feb. 22, 2018

Even pro-gun educators don't necessarily support Trump's plan. Dr. Joshua Grubbs, an assistant professor of clinical psychology at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, owns multiple guns — but said he couldn't imagine bringing them to class.

America Ignores the Gun War at Home.

U.S. News & World Report - Feb. 22, 2018

For example, "Two studies led by Daniel Webster at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health demonstrated the impact of state laws requiring a permit – and background check – before an individual can purchase a handgun.

After Florida Shooting, Students Across the U.S. Brought Guns to School.

Yahoo News - Feb. 16, 2018

The number of incidents Thursday could well be attributable in some form to students seeking security in the wake of Wednesday's chaos and the growing number of school shootings this year, Joel Dvoskin, a psychologist with the University of Arizona's medical school, and Peter Langman, a private practice clinical psychologist and author, told Newsweek on Friday.

Will a signal from the top mean more gun violence research?

CNN - Feb. 16, 2018

The rider does not specifically ban research on gun violence, but it has had an impact. The CDC's investment of $2.6 million into firearm injury research from before it was put into the law was redistributed to study traumatic brain injury prevention.

Florida shooting shows the need for more mental health programs.

FoxNews.com - Feb. 22, 2018

According to a Washington Post report, it is estimated there is only one psychiatrist per 1,807 children who need mental health services in this country. More than half of the counties nationwide do not have a practicing psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker. These numbers are staggering and unacceptable.

Becoming Numb to School Shootings Won't Save Anyone.

TIME - Feb. 15, 2018

We miss valuable lessons when we only become outraged or shocked by school shootings with large casualty counts or clear villains. It's hard to stay psychologically present and act as passionately about all the school shootings,

Women Can't Solve Our Gun Violence Problem Alone.

The Huffington Post - Feb. 22, 2018

"Any account of gun violence in the United States must be able to explain both why males are perpetrators of the vast majority of gun violence," a recent APA report says in summary

Why Do People Take Videos in the Midst of a Mass Shooting?

Healthline.com - Feb. 20, 2018

"The whole world for them is on video," Elaine Ducharme, PhD, a clinical psychologist, told Healthline, "Their whole lives are documented." "Kids are way more comfortable doing it [filming video] than we ever would have been. And, they have the means to do it," she added.

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