AHS July Blog: Run. Hide. Fight.
The Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences (AHS) publishes a monthly blog written by students, alumni, and faculty sharing important topics and helpful resources related to the fields of agriculture, extension, and human science. In the July blog post, YFCS graduate students Jessica Corn, Maris Jones, Rachael Landau discuss gun violence on college campuses and the mental health consequences for students.
Gun Violence on College Campuses: Mental Health Consequences for Students
On Monday, August 28, 2023, students, faculty, and staff on the University of Chapel Hill’s campus were alerted to an active shooter, resulting in a professor’s death. The student-run newspaper, The Daily Tarheel, printed a chilling front page showing texts between UNC students and parents (Figure 1). Some professors continued instruction during the active shooter situation because they weren’t clear about campus gun violence protocol. Gun violence on college campuses harms emerging adults’ mental health, specifically minorities and LGBTQ populations.
Traditionally, high school students graduate and leave for college. This timeframe is considered “emerging adulthood” and typically ranges from 18 to 29. First-year students attend orientations that usually include a presentation of on-campus resources and policies. However, a new aspect has risen, including protocols for campus gun violence, such as an active shooter situation. Northwestern University included this aspect through a video that details what actions to take when the “Run. Hide. Fight.” alert is heard. It is a cringing new norm of college life. At the same time, there are students on other campuses who do not feel as well aware of the protocols on their campuses and what to do in the event of an active shooter. As a result, emerging adults struggle with mental health consequences such as trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Gun Violence in America
According to The Violence Project, there has been an increase in K-12 school shootings since 2020, with a previously predicted 338 incidents to occur in 2023 if the trend continues (Figure 2). According to The Gun Violence Archive, total mass shootings in America have already peaked at 553 incidents. Current statistics show that nearly half of the deadliest mass shootings have occurred in the last decade.
Noticeably, a significant increase in 2020 coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic, further exacerbating the mental health crisis for emerging adults. Consequently, the increase in gun violence in K-12 schools will lead to future emerging adults that may have an increased likelihood of exposure to gun violence on a school campus.
Gun violence statistics can include suicide with a gun, on-campus incidents with non-college-affiliated offenders, and mass shootings. However, the definition is configured: gun violence is a concern, and college campuses need to be prepared to support students who may experience negative mental health consequences from gun violence on college campuses.
Emerging-Adult Mental Health Consequences
Emerging adulthood is a phase in which youth and young adults engage and participate in self-identity exploration, love relationship development, and worldview development. A positive transition in emerging adulthood profoundly affects a student’s life trajectory. However, as many emerging adults are away from supportive resources they once had, such as parents, high school friends/peers, and their communities, they are forced to utilize other resources for support, often in a new environment. Emerging adults who lack appropriate mental health resources may struggle to maintain a positive college experience. The previously mentioned increase in school shootings plus an unprecedented pandemic created a mental health crisis for emerging adults. In other words, the mental health crisis among college students regarding gun violence can influence the rest of their lives.
For some students, schools and campuses were once considered safe places. However, with most state universities and other public institutions, it’s impossible to account for every individual on campus at any given moment. One North Carolina student stated, “[my college] has a safe campus with few instances of harm or danger, but the campus is fairly open, and anyone can come anytime. It has put me on edge, being unable to have peace of mind freely, and has made me more aware of my surroundings, decreasing my mental health.” The persistent and pervasive threat of gun violence that students face continues to put them at an increased risk of experiencing mental health challenges.
How are Students Dealing with the Threat of Gun Violence?
For many students, the threat continues to linger in the back of their minds. Some are also experiencing vicarious trauma in response to media coverage of school shootings nationwide. One UNC-Greensboro student stated, “I am very concerned that a school shooting may occur. When I hear loud noises on campus, I often get frightened that it’s a shooting.”
The same student went on to say, “I feel like I have forced myself to be numb to handle the mass levels of violence happening all over the country. If I allow myself to think too deeply about students being violently ripped away from their family, friends, and communities, then I don’t think I’d be able to get out of bed in the morning.” The looming threat of gun violence and mass shootings on college campuses is impacting students in unprecedented ways and, therefore, presents new challenges for students, as some college campuses may be unprepared to respond appropriately.
In addition, not all students feel as well-prepared to react in the event that there is an active shooter on their campus. While many college campuses have alert systems in place that may notify students of safety issues via text, some students also believe that their universities can do more in terms of preparing students. One North Carolina student expressed that, “[my school is] not very prepared. There aren’t any drills or safety procedures put in place that many students are aware of.” There is an opportunity for colleges and universities across North Carolina to evaluate their current strengths and potential shortcomings to determine if other policies and procedures may be implemented to ensure the safety of their students, staff, and faculty as the rates of gun violence on campuses continue to rise. Another UNC-Greensboro student acknowledged the very real possibility of a school shooting occurring on their campus, stating, “I feel like it could never happen at UNCG, but the harsh reality is… yes it could.”
Gun Violence, Minorities, and LGBTQ+
Southern states show the highest statistics for gun violence deaths, and race plays a part. In the Charleston Church incident, nine African Americans were massacred while attending a church service by a racist white perpetrator. Black youth are particularly vulnerable and are four times more likely to be a victim of gun violence than white youth. Hate plays a significant role in mass shootings. In addition, black children and adolescents are proportionately more likely to die from a firearm-related death (Figure 3). The unfair, shocking reality is that simply being black is a risk factor for gun violence.
Not only are BIPOC students more likely to experience gun violence, but LGBTQI+ students are another population susceptible to gun violence. Transgender and queer students reported feeling worried about being a victim of gun violence. According to Sandy Hook Promise (a gun violence prevention organization), LGBTQ+ people are two times more likely to become victims of gun violence, are more likely to be attacked by a weapon at school, and are more likely to experience bullying on a school campus. LGBTQ+ college students are also more likely to consider suicide or attempt suicide than their cisgender counterparts (Figure 4). Figure 4 also represents the intersectionalities of race and gender identity, as 35% of LGBTQ students of color seriously considered suicide.
Communities must have the necessary resources to support all students, however, resources should be tailored to support BIPOC and LGBTQI+ youth in navigating the current mental health crisis around gun violence and mass shootings. Colleges serve as essential community resources and must be prepared to offer and assist students with their mental health.
Resources for Students
While mental health resources vary from campus to campus, most colleges and universities offer mental health services via their Student Health and Student Support Centers.
In addition, students generally can access mental health services authorized by their insurance, whether they have Medicaid or private insurance. Those with private insurance can contact their insurance companies to find out what is available to them. Those with Medicaid can go to NC DHHS: LME/MCO Directory to learn more about coverage in their counties and talk to someone about resources available to them. For students who are uninsured, there are also a number of free resources available, some of which are listed below.
There are a number of statewide and national resources available to students, regardless of insurance coverage, such as hotlines and warmlines, which have both call, text, and live-chat options:
● Call or text 988 to reach NC Suicide Prevention 988 Lifeline also provides several other resources which can be found here.
● NAMI NC (National Alliance on Mental Illness North Carolina) offers the NAMI NC Helpline Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
- Call 800-451-9682
- Text 919-999-6527
- Email: helpline@naminc.org
- Additional hotlines and crisis resources can be found on their website
● Promise Resource Network offers free peer support to North Carolinians via their warm-line: 833-390-7728
● Peer Support Space, Inc. offers a number of monthly community gatherings for those belonging to various communities and demographics. They also offer 1:1 peer support for those struggling with mental health, trauma, and a number of other things, as well! Their offerings and events can also be found on their Instagram page.
● The Trevor Project offers low-barrier access to resources and support for LGBTQ+ youth:
- Chat Online
- Text 678-678
- Call 1-866-488-7386
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