Schools deploy counselors in wake of shooting

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)- As a result of the shooting in Marshall County, school districts across the state are offering more assistance and mental health services to students and parents who may be shaken by the shooting.

As a result of the shooting in Marshall County, school districts across the state are offering more assistance and mental health services to students and parents who may be shaken by the shooting.

“Most of the kids know that that incident happened at that school but they worry about could it happen at this school, could it happen at the theater, could it happen at the mall,” said Doug Adams, a guidance counselor coordinator.

When a horrific event like Tuesday morning’s shooting at Marshall County High School happens, school counselors say fear can sweep through surrounding districts quickly.

“A lot of them come to school for safety, they know that it’s a safe place. So when situations like this happen you know that trust just kind of wavers a little,” said Shericka Smith with Project AWARE, a program within Fayette County Schools.

To try and regain that trust many districts deploy counselors and offer other resources to students who may be shaken.

“Kids just need to be reminded that we’re going to protect you as best that we can but this is real life and sometimes events happen like this,” said Smith.

Counselors say the best thing parents can do is ask their children how they feel about what happened.

“You tell them be aware of their surroundings, be aware of what they see, be aware of what they hear and if they ever hear anything of concern to share it with an adult they love and trust,” said Adams.

Counselors say that includes suspicious social media posts.

“If it’s something scary. If there’s something on there that could potentially cause other issues to let them know immediately or tell a trusted adult,” said Smith.

In the meantime, counselors say the best thing to do is to try get things back to normal as quickly as possible.

“The day to day operation of school is about academics and so we want them to get that without being worried about being over their shoulder and looking all the time,” said Adams.

For more school mental health services head to https://www.fcps.net/Page/2700.