Almost Spring: Time to Renew Awareness of Potential Warning Indicators

This eNews for many will be a reprint of last February. The importance of staying vigilant and paying attention to warning indicators during this time of year is critical to Response and we expect to you and yours.

There is a springtime phenomenon of increased episodes of extreme violence and it is not just a school issue. The same can and does occur in emergency rooms, psychiatric hospitals, and treatment facilities.

This is not to say that a school shooting couldn’t happen in September, they do. We may not be able to stop all school shootings, but we can always do a better job at preventing them.

After a long winter take time now to consciously check in with your school community. There were four school shootings in February 2008. One was at a middle school, another at a high school and the other two were on college campuses in the US.

By Spring we need to be extra vigilant. We are often recovering from a long winter and prevention requires constant awareness.

Indicators of potential violence often get overlooked, especially as the academic season progresses through the Spring. The fatigue of "being on" and managing large classrooms through the entire year begins to set in right about now, not to mention the strain of economic hardship for many.

How to notice warning indicators of potential violence: Stop, Look and Listen. Once you notice that something isn’t quite right with a particular student or co-worker what then do you do? You may know that answer if you are a principal, but do students and faculty know how to respond? The crisis management protocol and real time implementation must be established.

When schools or worksites lack a clear protocol for managing crises, those who would intervene do not act. The strongest communities are those that are empowered to act in concert with a common voice that says, "We are committed to safety for all."

Here's what works: designate a clear chain of command, know the right questions to ask, and set the standard by providing a continuum of services and management prior, during, and after a crisis. Keep the plan of action simple and user friendly.

An intervention policy becomes protocol once it is practiced and then applied. Provide training and the opportunity for key players to practice. Fear grows out of not knowing what to do and anticipating the worst.

A sound crisis protocol integrates the unspoken goal of modeling a respectful and professional managerial style during all conflict management situations.

Create a safe environment by creating a common goal of safety for all. Indicators of potential violence are most visible to alert and trained staff. Make sure your worksite community takes the time now to regroup and make this Spring a safe and rewarding season.

For Experiential Training Seminars on "Warning Indicators" contact Response Training Programs today.