The Virginia Tech Massacre: The Cause Of School Violence

Since the Columbine tragedy in 1999, there have been over thirty mass killings in the U.S., in elementary schools, high schools and universities as well as in the workplace, in churches, a movie theater, a restaurant, and in other public places (Dikel 1). In this essay, I will explain how the rise in school violence is greatly influenced by the mentally ill students being bullied, and I will propose ways to increase safety within schools by closely monitoring mentally ill students or students that show signs that they might be mentally ill. This essay demonstrates how like the Virginia Tech Massacre, mental stability can be the cause of many school violence incidents. On the morning of April 16, 2007, at 7:15 a.m Seung-Hui Cho, a senior at Virginia Tech, shoots two students at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a four-story coed dormitory on campus that houses approximately 895 students. At 9:26 a.m the school sends out an e-mail statement that a shooting took place at West Ambler Johnston Hall earlier that morning. At 9:45 911 calls report a second round of shootings in classrooms at Norris Hall, the engineering science and

Mental stability can be the cause of many school violence incidents. Mentally ill students should be closely monitored throughout their schooling. Bullying can push the mentally ill students to commit violent acts. Mental health screening should be available to all vulnerable young people. In addition to screening, treatment to anyone who shows signs of mental instability should be available. Incidents pertaining to violence cause by mentally unstable students, such as the Virginia Tech Massacre, can be prevented from studying conflicts as such to guarantee it will not happen