Can family talks, mental health help stop school fights in Baton Rouge?

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – The East Baton Rouge School System is working to build a safer experience for students, parents and staff. The goal is to add security monitoring and make sure crisis plans and emergency operations are the best they can be.

In the 2023-24 school year, the district plans to create a safety and security committee that will pull feedback from law enforcement and community leaders. The school board also recently updated its security protocol to allow banning anyone who causes disruption on campus or at school events.

Since the academic year began, multiple fights have broken out in local schools. The largest involved 200 people and resulted in multiple injuries. Officials hope the new and planned changes will prevent students from fighting on campus.

Local counselors think there are more solutions to stop violence before it starts. Students having a strong relationship with parents, guardians or other trusted adults can be the first step in keeping communities safe.

Erin Bradford is the director of I CARE for EBRSS, and Bridgette Webster is the director of mental health services for the school district. Together, they provided a guide for how families and the community can potentially help kids in crisis.

Open communication at home

After one student reportedly got into a fight at school, her grandmother Shina Blunt told reporters, “This is something she could have talked to me about… if she would have said something, we could have prevented some of this.”

Her words echo advice from Bradford and Webster. The counselors believe students should talk to their parents about problems at school.

“Open lines of communication allow a level of trust that young people need to express concerns when things come up,” Bradford and Webster said via an issued statement.

The counselors added, “These means of communication between parents and their children help administrators to defuse situations before they become significant issues on a campus. Parents must be aware of their child’s circle of friends and whereabouts. Talking to your child about what is happening in their world allows you the opportunity to help them navigate life and school.”

When a child is hesitant to talk

But teenagers don’t always want to talk to their parents about their feelings.

When children are withdrawn, parents can try the following suggestions:

• Bring in a third, neutral party. Get a friend, counselor or pastor to build trust with your child and provide information that can help them.
• Set the stage for conversation. Parents can make a safe space for conversation at the dinner table or in the car. Following routines that naturally allow for conversation can help.
• Show that you’re trustworthy. Let your child see they can trust you. This means listening when they speak and not overreacting.

How teachers and counselors can help

Teachers can also use open communication to prevent arguments from getting out of hand.

“When students and staff build trust among each other, students are more likely to bring information to staff members when they are bothered by something,” the counselors said. “The information gets relayed to the appropriate parties. EBR teachers who build rapport with students always get the news first. This information can be related to the administration in a swifter manner, helping to diffuse situations before they begin.”

“Conversations around Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in classrooms can also build healthy relationships between students and staff. When students see something, they say something to a trusted adult if that adult is their teacher that they trust,” Bradford and Webster stated.

Students dealing with stressful situations don’t have to figure it out on their own. Most campuses have trained counselors who can help.

“These mental health professionals know the importance of maintaining confidentiality with students and communicate those limits to confidentiality in instances relating to the risk of harm to self or others and reports of abuse and neglect,” Bradford and Webster said.

EBR School’s support team is called I CARE, and parents are welcome to reach counselors by calling (225) 226-2273.

Where to find help during a crisis

Resources for help are not limited to EBR’s campuses.

Anyone experiencing a crisis can find help by calling or texting 988. Another option is to chat with someone via 988lifeline.org or contact EBR’s Mental Health Services at (225) 964-5024.

Individuals can also text MHA to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor from Crisis Text Line.

Of course, anyone in need of help can also call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.