Is your teen lashing out with violence at school? Whether your child is hurting themselves or others, violence is a serious concern. Unfortunately, school violence is not uncommon. According to a 2023 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, bullying has increased in recent years. Violence and threats of violence have also increased. In 2023, 9% of students were threatened or injured with a weapon at school. Addressing your teen’s violent behaviors is crucial for preventing any injuries or serious legal issues.

Reasons why your teen might be involved in violence at school

Violent behavior can seem very aggressive and hostile on the surface. However, it’s often an expression of vulnerability. Teens who are struggling with mental health symptoms may lash out with negative behaviors. If your teen is involved in violence in school, it’s important to consider the potential causes of their actions. A balanced, thoughtful approach can be key to understanding why your teen is lashing out and how they can be helped.

• Trauma — The effects of unresolved trauma can linger for many years. If your teen has experienced traumatic events in the past, their trauma could be playing a role in their violent behaviors. Whether your teen experienced something traumatic very recently or as a young child, the effects could still be affecting their mental processes. Trauma can disrupt a person’s ability to process emotions in healthy ways. Instead, your teen may process feelings like anger and fear through confrontational behavior. If you think your teen’s violent behaviors might be connected to past trauma, mental health treatment can be vital. Through psychotherapy, your teen can start to work through their trauma and address negative patterns.
• Emotional dysregulation — Does your teen struggle to keep their emotions under control? Emotional dysregulation occurs when someone has difficulty managing, processing and responding to their emotions. Emotional dysregulation can make it hard for your teen to manage intense emotions, leading to outbursts and aggression. If your teen is engaging in violent behavior at school, they may not have the skills they need to process their feelings in a healthy, peaceful way. The best solution may be helping your teen understand and regulate their feelings. Therapy and other mental health treatments can provide the tools your teen needs to avoid violent escalation in the future.
• Bullying — Has your teen been the target of bullying or social rejection at school? If so, this could be fueling their aggression. Bullying often leads to feelings of hopelessness and anger. Over time, these feelings can perpetuate a cycle of violence. After feeling powerless, your teen may start hurting others to regain a sense of control. Your teen may feel like violence is their only option and that they need to be aggressive in order to defend themselves.
• Substance use — Substance use often begins in high school. Your teen may be starting to use alcohol and other judgment-impairing drugs. Substance use typically comes with a wide range of mental and physical health risks. One of the most common effects of substance use is impulsivity. Your teen may become more impulsive and aggressive while under the influence, leading to violent behaviors. For many people, substance use starts out as a coping mechanism. Your teen may feel like drugs help alleviate emotional pain. To address the underlying problems behind substance use, your teen’s therapist can use interventions that target core processes, such as difficulty with emotions.
• Mental health disorders — Mental health disorders can affect people of all ages. Violence in school is often directly or indirectly connected to mental health. Emotional dysregulation, for example, may be a symptom of a mental health disorder. Substance use often develops in response to mental health symptoms. Mental health disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have a major impact on your teen’s thoughts and actions. By addressing the causes of your teen’s mental health symptoms, a professional treatment provider can help your teen break out of negative emotional and behavioral patterns before these patterns escalate. Early professional intervention can be crucial to preventing the development of severe mental health symptoms and avoiding violence.

Find the help your teen needs at Lightfully Teen

Lightfully Teen can provide your teen with nonviolent conflict resolution skills. The framework of everything we do consists of evidence-based, deeply compassionate, whole-person-centered care. With our help, your teen can improve their behavior and mental wellness.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to get help for your teen, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of your teen.