For Therapists

Families often develop unspoken rules about whose emotions get prioritized, and a common pattern is centering the emotional comfort of those who are aggressive or passive-aggressive. In these systems, the person who raises their voice, slams doors, makes cutting remarks, or withdraws in icy silence often dictates the emotional climate. Everyone else learns, sometimes unconsciously, that keeping this person calm matters more than tending to their own fear, sadness, or longing

Despite the intense media coverage and public concern surrounding school shootings, there are several persistent myths that distort understanding and hinder effective prevention.

The ways a parent responds to, supports, and interacts with their child lay the foundation for how that child learns to manage emotions, form relationships, and understand their own self-worth. However, when a parent struggles with codependency—a pattern of excessively relying on another person for approval and identity—this dynamic can profoundly shape a child’s emotional world in ways that may be harmful, including influencing suicidality and attention-seeking behaviors.

As a parent in this situation, it is vital to provide your child with the support, stability, and tools they need to cope with the emotional rollercoaster they face.