For many parents, dropping their child off at school comes with the expectation that they will be safe. Yet for children across the United States, safety concerns – from lockdown drills to real threats – have become an increasingly common part of childhood. How do we talk to our children about these experiences, and how can parents cope in ways that support their children? We spoke with Adjoa Smalls-Mantey, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, about school safety concerns, how they can affect children’s mental and emotional health, and how parents can help. We also discuss warning signs, opportunities for intervention, opening communication, and grounding techniques for moments of crisis.

Credits 
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Adjoa Smalls-Mantey, MD

<p>For many parents, dropping their child off at school comes with the expectation that they will be safe. Yet for children across the United States, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/expert-advice-school-violence">safety concerns </a>&ndash; from lockdown drills to real threats &ndash; have become an increasingly common part of childhood. How do we talk to our children about these experiences, and how can parents cope in ways that support their children? We spoke with <a href="https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/doctors/smalls-mantey-adjoa/">Adjoa Smalls-Mantey, MD</a>, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, about school safety concerns, how they can affect children&rsquo;s mental and emotional health, and how parents can help. We also discuss warning signs, opportunities for intervention, opening communication, and grounding techniques for moments of crisis.</p>
<p>Credits&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Adjoa Smalls-Mantey, MD</li>
</ul>

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.