How to Talk to Children About School Safety Incidents

For many parents, dropping their child off at school comes with the expectation that they will be safe. Yet for children across the United States, safety concerns – from lockdown drills to real threats – have become an increasingly common part of childhood. How do we talk to our children about these experiences, and how can parents cope in ways that support their children? We spoke with Adjoa Smalls-Mantey, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, about school safety concerns, how they can affect children’s mental and emotional health, and how parents can help. We also discuss warning signs, opportunities for intervention, opening communication, and grounding techniques for moments of crisis.

Credits

Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Adjoa Smalls-Mantey, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.