Local Psychologists Say They’ve Had Surge Of Calls After Shooting At Butler High School

MATTHEWS, NC. —  It will take time for many students to process the deadly shooting Monday at Butler High School. Local child psychologists tell WCCB they’ve had a surge of calls from children desperate to talk about what happened.

“Once it happens it scares you a little bit,” says a Butler High School student.

Fear, anxiety, and shock. The waves of emotions that some students at Butler High School are going through. Many witnessed a fellow student shoot a classmate in a packed hallway before the first bell.

“You really don’t think it’s going to happen at your school. I mean you hear about it all over the news, but you really don’t think it’s going to happen,” says another student.

Psychologist Dr. Ryan Kelly says after a trauma, it’s normal for students to feel anxious.

“These kiddos go back to school, and a book drops on the ground, and they’re going to get scared and that trauma is there,” says Dr. Kelly.

He says parents and teachers need to look for noticeable changes in a child’s behavior.

“Not sleeping as well, they tend to be a little bit more hyper-vigilant. Meaning they just tend to be stressed more often, things tend to scare them more.”

CMS says counselors are available to Butler High School students, family members, and staff.

“Just to make them feel safe. To know that they have a place to speak on how they felt, to help talk through what went on, to not force them to do anything, or force them to get better.”

Dr. Kelly says it’s important to try and stay in your normal routine. That means, try to get the same amount of sleep, keep the same diet and exercise routines.