To the editor:

On Thursday, April 5, Barrington High School had a regularly scheduled advisory period in which groups of 20 students met with their assigned teachers to discuss school related issues. 

On this particular day, we were subjected to a presentation on what to do in the event of a school shooting. Although this is undeniably important, one point that was made repeatedly was that if we see something, we should say something. 

We, as students, are expected to understand the warning signs of someone who could be capable of committing an act of violence. How can we possibly be expected to do this when Barrington has been so consistently lax in providing mental health support? 

When mental health crises do occur, they are swept under the rug and hush-hushed. Instead of taking the opportunity for its students to learn and grow as people, Barrington covers up issues in an effort to maintain its shining image. 

It may be common knowledge nationwide but it is rarely mentioned in our hallowed halls that one of the frequent links between those individuals who commit school shootings is severe mental illness. We have been explained to about the symptoms of depression, the warning signs of suicide, but only in the most bare-bones way possible. 

It is imperative that Barrington High School take the time to explain to its students that mental illness and feelings of isolation can often be what drives someone to commit acts of horrific violence. We must acknowledge that anxiety and depression can be prevalent at a school as high-pressure as ours, and it must be made clear to students that there are mental health resources at our disposal. 

For now, we as a student body are left with suggestions to throw our textbooks at a shooter if they enter our classroom and pray that doesn’t enrage them more. We are left in the dark that symptoms of someone who is prone to violence are often much more nuanced than a permanent scowl and an affinity for guns. How can I say something when I’m not sure what I should be seeing?

Maddie Lauria

Barrington