136 Youth Violence Prevention: Threat Assessment and Management

https://302.buzz/PM-WhatAreYourThoughts

This is the first of three episodes on aggression in youth and violence prevention.

Dr. Gaggino’s guest is Cindy Marble, who retired from the US Secret Service after 27 years, including two tours in the protective intelligence division. Cindy now trains individuals across various sectors on behavioral threat assessment and prevention, including K-12 schools, campuses, and private industry. In this podcast, she emphasizes the team approach to threat assessment, drawing on the insights of mental health providers, physicians, and local law enforcement. Cindy highlights that there is no single profile of a potential aggressor, and that prevention requires an understanding of the individual's behavior and circumstances. She underscores the role of physicians and mental health providers in identifying potential threats, as well as considering factors such as home environment and law enforcement history. Cindy emphasizes that understanding the "why" behind a person's behavior is critical to preventing violent acts

• Many thanks to the AAP and the MIAAP for making these 3 episodes possible by funding guest honorariums and podcast editing costs. In full disclosure, I have not received any funding from either entity for this series.

First, some facts:

• According to the Washington Post, there have been 376 school shootings since Columbine (1999)
• 348,000 students have experienced gun violence since Columbine shooting

[00:33 -12:57] Understanding the Pathway to Violence: A Multidisciplinary Approach

• Threat assessment is a community process that requires a multidisciplinary team.
• There is no specific profile of someone who carries out violent attacks.
• It's essential to focus on a person's behavior rather than their traits.
• Taking a multidisciplinary approach can help identify a pathway to violence and prevent violent incidents.
• Threat assessment is a community process involving partnerships with healthcare providers, mental health professionals, and local law enforcement.

[12:58 -28:22 Key Indicators and Intervention Strategies

• Warning signs may include a change in behavior, loss of interest or connections, and inappropriate interest in past mass violence attacks.
• Capability, access to weapons, and mental and physical ability are all considered in the threat assessment process.
• Assessing a person's capability to carry out an act of violence, along with their mental and emotional state, is crucial in determining the level of risk.
• Interventions should focus on connecting the individual to support systems and responsible adults to prevent isolation and marginalization.
• Punishment or disciplinary action may not be the most effective solution and may exacerbate behavioral issues. Instead, focusing on intervention and support can lead to positive outcomes.

[28:23 - 40:40] The Importance of a Collective Approach in Threat Assessment

• Physicians cannot be expected to single-handedly assess and manage a threat
• Building relationships with schools and law enforcement can lead to a more effective community-based threat assessment process
• Understanding HIPAA and FERPA laws can provide comfort in sharing information for the safety of an individual
• Threat assessment is a collective effort that shares liability and considers different perspectives to create a management plan
• Best practice in threat assessment involves a systematic process of gathering information, documenting decisions, and creating a management...