...Deaths to teenagers 12-19 years (click here) comprise a small fraction of the total deaths occurring each year in the United States. From 1999 to 2006 less than 1 percent (0.68 percent)–or 131,000 deaths–occurred to teenagers 12-19 years. This represents an average of 16,375 deaths per year for this group. Teenage mortality is an important public health issue because the majority of deaths among teenagers are caused by external causes of injury such as accidents, homicide, and suicide. These causes of death are, by definition, preventable....
Pediatricans as individuals and in their professional organizations need to address the growing problem with violence against our children. Onine chat rooms and their influence need to be addressed in a real and measurable way. White Supremacists/Nationalists are required to attend school up to the age of 16.
Violence in schools needs to be an annual school class that all parents MUST attend or have social workers visit the house. Parents and teachers as well as administrators need to know the signs of depression and aggression that is inappropriate. The concept of "cliques" or "posses" need to be discussed and put into place the idea that social exclusivity is not a healthy interaction for any child or teen. When teens isolate into groups of any kind there is always the issue of belonging and who does not belong.
The issue of gun violence in particular should be discussed ad nauseum with parents and educators. There are signs about this stuff and it cannot be ignored. Any inkling at all of any type of gun appreciation by a young student that is not allowed to purchase one, and can only have one for hunting with supervision of a parent needs to be called out and guidance councilors informed of the danger such ideology places within the school setting.
Art should be appropriate for the age group.
Students stuggling with their studies MUST be considered in danger of failure as an adult. I know there are plenty of examples otherwise, but, for any school to allow failure to go on unchecked the problems simply continue to mount. Even a grocery clerk needs to count change.
Social isolation of any kind is a warning sign that social work needs to get involved and evaluate the home environment and the students failure to be socially engaged.
A school can set up all sorts of magnatometers, security guards, etc., but, the warning signs are available to all to see and should be addressed before they result in tragedy on or off school grounds. This violence in the USA with guns flowing like water is an outrage and the professional organizations must bring about dialogues about this to end such hideous laws allowing this danger in our country.
