A disturbing portrayal of a school shooting unfolding is garnering national attention.
Sandy Hook Promise, an advocacy group that formed after the 2012 shooting that claimed 26 lives at a Connecticut elementary school, released a chilling public service announcement. Viewers are warned that the footage may be difficult to watch.
The full video is intentionally raw and unsanitized.
“It’s not that we’re introducing them to this. They’re learning about this in school. We then take the viewer to the end where we tell them this is preventable. We don’t have to live like this,” said Mark Barden, a father whose son, Daniel, died in the Sandy Hook shooting.
Barden said the PSA is not appropriate for young or sensitive viewers, but opens up an important conversation.
“We have the tools to train students how to recognize those warning signs and take the next steps to connect somebody with help before it becomes a tragedy, so the solution is here and we don’t have to live like this,” said Barden.
He said opening the topic with children is tough, but critical.
“What is going to be most important is to reassure the children that even though this is getting so much media play, that it is an isolated incident, that they would be safe at school and that schools have taken measures,” said Dr. Felix Torres, MD, MBA, a forensic psychiatrist.
But Torres said the PSA can serve as a jumping-off point.
“The dire reality is that these events have become more prevalent, and as shocking as the PSA may appear, it does educate,” said Dr. Torres.
“It is difficult to watch. It’s even disturbing, but it is a conversation starter, and a conversation that has to be had,” said Barden.
WARNING: THIS VIDEO MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME VIEWERS
