The biggest safety obstacle schools face and how to overcome it

To date, there have been 106 incidents of gun violence on school grounds in 2023, according to the “K-12 School Shooting Database.” Whether this is a reflection of school security or gun legislation is up for debate. However, schools still have a part to play to ensure the safety of their students and staff. Yet, there’s one common obstacle the K12 world still needs to overcome: mental health.

Nearly 1 in 3 high school girls in the U.S. have seriously considered attempting suicide and 57% reported feeling “persistently sad or hopeless,” a recent survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests. In contrast, 14% of high school-aged boys said they had considered attempting suicide, up from 13% in 2011.

This teen mental health crisis affects nearly all of a student’s academic experience from performance to behavior. But in recent months, we’ve seen how it’s dramatically impacted schools and students in terms of safety and security. And according to new research, it’s become a substantial safety barrier.

Raptor Technologies, a leading school safety software company, released the results of its annual School Safety Survey in partnership with the National Association of School Resource Officers. The findings help equip district leaders with knowledge of some of the most prominent student wellness challenges schools face today.

Here’s a look at the survey’s key findings:

• Respondents agree that early intervention is the most important and effective way to support students. Yet, less than one-fourth feel equipped with the tools and support to tackle safety concerns in their school districts.
• 60% of respondents cite “mental health issues” as the number one school safety obstacle they’re encountering.
• 78% of respondents report student mental health needs have increased since returning to school post-COVID.
• More than 50% believe they aren’t fully equipped to help students with mental health-related needs.

“Recognizing a student in the initial stages of distress empowers schools to reduce that child’s exposure and give them the support they need when they need it,” said Gray Hall, CEO at Raptor Technologies, in a statement.

Additionally, respondents cited physical security and training as their two most-needed safety improvements, as well as reporting the importance of door hardening and emergency communication.

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10 steps for strengthening school safety and security

Despite growing mental health concerns among teenage students, schools incorporate security measures today that align with best practices. According to a blog by school safety expert Kenneth Trump, president of the National School Safety and Security Services, school leaders should consider these 10 steps for building safer schools:

1. Avoid “security theater,” a.k.a., heavily investing in physical security such as metal detectors and other hardening measures to portray a sense of safety.
2. Focus on strengthening relationships between adults and students.
3. Rapid response to neighborhood/group/gang conflicts.
4. Increase communication and information sharing with the police, probation and community partners (within legal and policy parameters, of course).
5. Regularly conduct security and preparedness assessments.
6. Supervise students, especially in areas with fewer adults.
7. Look into investing in anonymous reporting tools.
8. Strengthen student supports like social, emotional and mental health resources.
9. Engage students in addressing safety concerns and strategies to reduce the number of threats in schools.
10. Participate in anti-violence and gun crime reduction and prevention initiatives within your community.