A new report by child psychiatry specialists at Stony Brook University found that the majority of students who have been violent or armed in public schools in eastern Suffolk for more than 20 years have suffered from mental illness. I was a victim of physical abuse.
Whereas previous research focused on school shootings, the new findings Journal of the American Academy of Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatrythey believe, are the results of the first comprehensive study of threatened students. studied symptoms, and diagnosis.
“Threatening students need to be understood beyond the threat itself, and need to understand the underlying issues.” Professor Deborah Weisbrot, PhD, said: “And digging deeper into what these children need has led to revelations about what they need when it comes to their psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.”
The research team was referred to the Stony Brook Children’s and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic (now known as the Stony Brook Medicine Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic) by school staff between 1998 and 1998. , examined the threat assessment ratings of 157 students from 19 school districts in eastern Suffolk County. And in 2019.
The study revealed that the students, who averaged 13 years old, shared many similarities.
- Most had one or more psychiatric diagnoses such as attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, learning disabilities, or belonged to the autism spectrum.
- About half had a history of psychiatric medication and were receiving special education services.
- Nearly 90% report having experienced a significant traumatic experience. Over 52% dealt with physical abuse and 43% had been bullied.
The study found that in 63% of the cases investigated, raters recommended returning the student to their previous school. Psychotherapy was offered to nearly 80% of young people and medication to nearly 90%.
A study found that 80% of students made verbal threats and nearly 30% brought weapons such as knives and bullets to school.
“Only a very small number of people proved to be in dire need of hospitalization or police intervention,” Weissbrot said.
Dr. Victor Fornari, director of the Division of Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, estimates that about 20% of young people under the age of 18 meet the criteria for at least one mental disorder. doing.
“So it’s no surprise that these young people are at high risk of exhibiting various behavioral disorders, including aggression,” Fornari said. “However, because the majority of young people and the population with psychopathology are not violent, it is only a very small minority of this sample who have aggressive tendencies.”
The rate of intimidation by students needing psychiatric care tends to rise via social media, Weisbrot said, adding, “Even children threatening on social media are saying, ‘Oh no, I’m kidding. Who’s that?’ ‘They’re doing it,'” he added. Even those students had serious concerns. ”
In conclusion, the report recommends a more thorough mental health evaluation of students who make threats. This “should include identifying underlying psychiatric problems, not just assessing the threat itself”.
“Psychiatric evaluations of threatening students of all kinds can lead to revelations about psychiatric diagnoses and important treatment and educational recommendations,” the report states.
