Several recent tragedies have involved children shooting and killing
individuals after making threats. When this occurs, everyone asks
themselves, "How could this happen?" and "Why didn't we
take the threat seriously?"
Most threats made by children or adolescents are not carried out. Many
such threats are the child's way of talking "big" or tough, or
getting attention. Sometimes these threats are a reaction to a perceived
hurt, rejection, or attack.
What threats should be taken seriously?
Examples of potentially dangerous or emergency situations with a child or
adolescent include:
- threats or warnings
about hurting or killing someone
- threats or warnings
about hurting or killing oneself
- threats to run away
from home
- threats to damage or
destroy property
Child and adolescent psychiatrists and other mental health
professionals agree that it is very difficult to predict a child's future
behavior with complete accuracy. A person's past behavior, however, is
still one of the best predictors of future behavior. For example, a child
with a history of violent or assaultive behavior is more likely to carry
out his/her threats and be violent.
When is there more risk associated with threats from children and
adolescents?
The presence of one or more of the following increases the risk of violent
or dangerous behavior:
- past violent or
aggressive behavior (including uncontrollable angry outbursts)
- access to guns or other
weapons
- bringing a weapon to
school
- past suicide attempts
or threats
- family history of
violent behavior or suicide attempts
- blaming others and/or
unwilling to accept responsibility for one's own actions
- recent experience of
humiliation, shame, loss, or rejection
- bullying or
intimidating peers or younger children
- a pattern of threats
- being a victim of abuse
or neglect (physical, sexual, or emotional)
- witnessing abuse or
violence in the home
- themes of death or
depression evident in conversation, written expressions, reading
selections, or artwork
- preoccupation with
themes and acts of violence in TV shows, movies, music, magazines,
comics, books, video games, and Internet sites
- mental illness, such as
depression, mania, psychosis, or bipolar disorder
- use of alcohol or
illicit drugs
- disciplinary problems
at school or in the community (delinquent behavior)
- past destruction of
property or vandalism
- cruelty to animals
- firesetting behavior
- poor peer relationships
and/or social isolation
- involvement with cults
or gangs
- little or no
supervision or support from parents or other caring adult
What should be done if parents or others are concerned?
When a child makes a serious threat it should not be dismissed as just
idle talk. Parents, teachers, or other adults should immediately talk with
the child. If it is determined that the child is at risk and the child
refuses to talk, is argumentative, responds defensively, or continues to
express violent or dangerous thoughts or plans, arrangements should be
made for an immediate evaluation by a mental health professional with
experience evaluating children and adolescents. Evaluation of any serious
threat must be done in the context of the individual child's past
behavior, personality, and current stressors. In an emergency situation or
if the child or family refuses help, it may be necessary to contact local
police for assistance or take the child to the nearest emergency room for
evaluation. Children who have made serious threats must be carefully
supervised while awaiting professional intervention. Immediate evaluation
and appropriate ongoing treatment of youngsters who make serious threats
can help the troubled child and reduce the risk of tragedy.
The American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) represents over 6,900 child and adolescent
psychiatrists who are physicians with at least five years of additional
training beyond medical school in general (adult) and child and adolescent
psychiatry.
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