When “Safety Drills” Hurt: How School Shooting Drills Are Fueling Anxiety in Kids
In communities across the U.S., schools increasingly conduct active shooter and lockdown drills in an effort to prepare children for worst-case scenarios. The intention behind these drills—to keep students safe—is understandable. But emerging research suggests these drills may come at a heavy psychological cost, particularly for younger children in grade school and middle school. This anxiety in kids is causing children to fear school and worry more.
⚠️ What the Research Says
- A large-scale study analyzing social media posts from more than 100 K–12 schools found that expressions of anxiety, stress, and depression among students, parents, and teachers increased dramatically after shooter drills — by as much as 42% for anxiety/stress and almost 39% for depression. These elevated levels often persisted for at least 90 days post-drill. (Lai et al., 2021)
- For many children, drills trigger intense fear and trauma responses. In one qualitative study of elementary-aged children, fear was reported as the most common emotional reaction — even when the child understood the drill was “just practice.” (Addington et al., 2019)
- School staff report dramatic emotional consequences as well. In a national survey, nearly one-third of teachers indicated they were aware of at least one student who experienced trauma, heightened stress, or anxiety following participation in a drill — yet only a small fraction reported that mental-health supports were offered afterward. (U.S. Department of Education, 2021)
- Anxiety in kids is increasing. Children with prior trauma, anxiety vulnerabilities, or developmental differences may be especially at risk. For them, a drill can re-trigger old wounds, intensify fear, or trigger panic reactions even when no actual threat exists. (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2023)
Why This Matters — and Why It Often Goes Unseen
Schools are formative spaces where children develop emotionally, socially, and cognitively. Frequent exposure to drills that simulate violence or death can:
- Undermine a child’s sense of safety at school — a place that should feel secure and supportive.
- Trigger chronic anxiety, stress, or depressive symptoms. Kids may become hypervigilant, withdrawn, emotionally dysregulated, or avoidant.
- Interfere with learning, peer relationships, and healthy development, especially when drills are repeated often.
- Leave long-lasting psychological impacts well after the drill — sometimes for months.
At Sobair Mental Health and Wellness, I am seeing more and more children seeking counseling for fear of being in school and fear for their safety. Many children are experiencing heightened anxiety around attending class, participating in school activities, and even sleeping or leaving home — often as a direct response to the drills and the constant messaging about potential school violence.
Because the concerns are often framed as “safety training,” adults may overlook or dismiss children’s emotional responses (“It’s just a drill”). Yet for many kids, the drill may feel real — evoking existential fear, helplessness, and trauma.
What Caregivers, Teachers & Schools Can Do
- Recognize that it’s not “just practice.” After a drill, openly ask children how they felt, listen to their fears, and validate them. Avoid minimizing by saying “don’t worry, it was just a drill.”
- Advocate for trauma-informed approaches to drills. That could include providing advance notice, offering opt-out or de-escalation options for sensitive children, and ensuring mental-health supports are available after drills.
- Watch for signs of distress in children: frequent nightmares, panic, avoidance of school, hypervigilance, withdrawal, or changes in behavior — especially after drills.
- Prioritize mental-health support (therapy, counseling) when needed — ideally before problems worsen or become chronic.
Healing the Hidden Wounds: When to Reach Out for Help
If you notice persistent anxiety, fear, hypervigilance, sleep problems, or depression in a child after school drills — or if a child seems “on edge” about going to school — consider professional support.
At Sobair Mental Health and Wellness, we specialize in trauma-informed care, including somatic therapy (body-based approaches that help process and release nervous-system activation), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which can help children and adults work through trauma, reduce anxiety, and restore a sense of safety and calm.
We believe children deserve more than lockdowns and simulations — they deserve real healing, support, and a chance to feel safe again.
If your child or a student is struggling after school drills, contact Sobair Mental Health and Wellness for compassionate, evidence-based help. You’re not alone — and there are gentle, effective paths forward.
References
Addington, D., Feucht, T., & Dulin, P. (2019). Children’s emotional responses to school safety drills. Child & Youth Services, 43(3), 175–190. https://doi.org/10.1080/0145935X.2019.1574276
Lai, Y., Blackwell, D., & Bertram, J. (2021). Social media expressions of student stress and anxiety following school lockdown drills. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 8(1), 54. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00993-6
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2023). Improving school safety and student well-being: Trauma-informed approaches. National Academies Press. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/29105/chapter/5
U.S. Department of Education. (2021). School safety and student mental health: Teacher perspectives. U.S. Government Printing Office. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK619271/