The urgency to keep children safe at school has never been greater. Metal detectors, locked doors, armed officers, and lockdown drills have become the norm at campuses around the country. But as schools comply with physical safety protocols, a question remains: at what emotional cost?

These safety measures, while critically important, can cause stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns for some students and adults. A 2024 study showed that active shooter drills in schools are associated with increases in depression (39%), stress and anxiety (42%), and physiological health problems (23%) overall, including children from as young as five years old up to high schoolers, their parents, and teachers.

While we can’t, and shouldn’t, remove school safety measures, we can ensure that students feel safe at school – both physically and emotionally. This is where a mental health approach comes in.

Download this simple sheet to learn simple strategies to support student and adult mental health, before, during and after a drill or event. When we create a sense of emotional safety, we also ensure the physical safety of all involved.