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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.
For additional
information, see FFFs -
#55 Understanding Violent Behavior in Children
#37 Children and Firearms
#03 Teens: Alcohol and Other Drugs
#13 Children and TV Violence and
#33 Conduct Disorders.
Article
#65 Updated 8/98
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