In Bonney Lake, police continue to investigate rumours of online threats against three schools in the district.
Parents at Bonney Lake High School, Lake Ridge Middle School and Mountain View Middle School were notified this week about threats against specific students. Police say the threats are not credible, but some students and parents remain fearful.
“It was very scary. I didn’t want to go to school the next day because I was scared of getting hurt,” said Gillian, a local middle school student.
As the country faces a mental health crisis, Bonney Lake students are feeling the fear.
“What kids are experiencing is a level of anxiety about going back to school that most of us have never experienced,” said Dr. Gregory Jantz, a mental health specialist at the clinic in Edmonds. “We’re seeing a lot of anxiety and depression, we’re seeing a lot of suicidal thoughts, and we’re particularly concerned about the 12- to 17-year-old age group.”
The CDC shares those concerns. The agency released a new report showing that the mental health of some American teens is improving, but it also points to some worrying trends when it comes to school violence. The report calls for “safer, more supportive schools.”
The 2023 data found an increase in teens being bullied, threatened or injured at school, as well as a 4% increase in “students who missed school due to safety concerns at or on the way to school (from 9% to 13%).”
“I don’t want to be one of those kids who is so stressed out,” said Nicole Kelly, a parent from Bonney Lake. “My kids are scared, and they’re already stressed just starting school… it’s not something to be taken lightly.”
Dr Jantz says social media is also contributing to the mental health crisis.
“All of this is taking a huge toll on children. We’re facing a situation we’ve never seen before because of the severity of the situation we’re facing,” Dr. Jantz said.
Jantz told KIRO 7 that not only are Washington students facing a growing mental health crisis, but there’s no quick fix.
“Right now the need is way outstripping our capacity to respond and there is a lack of mental health supports,” Dr. Jantz said. “There is a lack of mental health supports in schools. I’ve visited schools and I’ve spoken to parents and there is a lack of supports and in some cases the burden is too great for teachers.”
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