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The links within this post lead to news articles about the mass shooting at a Texas high school and may contain images that are graphic and/or disturbing. Please be cautious when visiting these links.

At approximately 7:30 a.m. local time (8:30 am EST) today a school shooting occured at Santa Fe High School near Houston, Texas, killing 10, according to CNN. Authorities have identified the shooter as 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a student at SFHS, and he is currently in custody. 

Of those deceased, nine were students and one was a teacher. Ten others have sustained injuries. 

According to witnesses, students were exiting the school following a fire alarm—which may have been pulled to alert others of the emergency—when they heard gunfire. Some students ran to nearby homes, gas stations and other establishments while teachers were attempting to file students out of the school.

It's been reported that the suspect used two guns—a revolver and a rifle—during his attack. He's also thought to have planted explosive devices in the area.  

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This tragic event comes just a few months after the shooting at a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. which sparked the #NeverAgain movement for gun reform. This is the 14th school shooting this year. 

If this tragic event has triggered you in anyway, please reach out to a trusted adult and talk to them. You may also find these suggestions helpful:

Choose your news wisely.
It's important you make sure that you are getting your news from reputable sources. AP, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Fox, The New York Times and USA Today are a few trusted sources to look to. Also remember that many outlets distributing fake, sensationalized news may closely resemble authentic news sources; so be sure to investigate everything you read before hitting "share" on that Facebook post. 

Approach your parents.
If there are parts of the news that you don't understand and want to discuss with someone, reach out to your parents or another adult you trust. Find a time when you can sit down and chat without other distractions—and come ready with specific questions you have, or a news article you want to discuss. Keep in mind that these topics are difficult for them, too—so they, like you, may also have difficulty comprehending the news.

Unplug.
Now may also be a good time to disconnect from your social media. Many people lash out with emotionally charged posts, and you don't want to find yourself caught in a Facebook feud or Twitter war. If you feel like you need to share something, first take a step back. Make sure that you have your thoughts clearly organized. Try writing them down on a piece of paper to get a better visual. Next, do your research. Use the reliable sources mentioned above make sure that you are writing a well-informed and factually supported post. Read and reread your draft before posting it. And, finally, be prepared for others to disagree with your thoughts.

Do something.
It's normal to feel helpless when we see horrific things happening across the country—or on the other side of the world. If you feel compelled to help but don't know where to start—or question whether your contribution will even matter—remember that even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference. Try starting a grassroots fundraiser (sell lemonade, organize a car wash, sell those cute bracelets you make) to benefit the victims of a tragedy or simply send a hand-written letter of support to someone involved.

Take a break.
If you're having a difficult time dealing, it's OK to switch off the news and take a break from it all. Focus on what is happening in your world that makes you happy, and then share that happiness with others. Remember that there is still plenty of room for kindness in the world, and one positive act a day can keep it going.

Photo credit: CNN

by GL | 5/18/2018