Safety assessment in schools: beyond risk: the role of child psychiatrists and other mental health professionals

Nancy Rappaport; William S Pollack; Lois T Flaherty; Sarah E O Schwartz; Courtney McMickens

doi:10.1016/j.chc.2014.11.001

Safety assessment in schools: beyond risk: the role of child psychiatrists and other mental health professionals

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2015 Apr;24(2):277-89. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2014.11.001. Epub 2014 Dec 31.

Authors

Nancy Rappaport¹, William S Pollack², Lois T Flaherty³, Sarah E O Schwartz⁴, Courtney McMickens⁴

Affiliations

¹ Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, 47 Prentice Road, Newton Center, MA 02459, USA.
³ Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, 9 Saint Mary Road, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
⁴ Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

PMID: 25773324
DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2014.11.001

Abstract

This article presents an overview of a comprehensive school safety assessment approach for students whose behavior raises concern about their potential for targeted violence. Case vignettes highlight the features of 2 youngsters who exemplify those seen, the comprehensive nature of the assessment, and the kind of recommendations that enhance a student's safety, connection, well-being; engage families; and share responsibility of assessing safety with the school.

Keywords: Risk assessment; Safety assessment; School safety; School shootings; School violence; Threat assessment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Humans
Mental Disorders / psychology*
Mental Health Services / organization & administration*
Risk Assessment / methods
Risk Factors
School Health Services / organization & administration*
Schools
Violence / psychology*