What can I do if I am concerned about my student?

The first step is to acknowledge the concern. The thought of potential violence is scary and that is one of the reasons why we may talk ourselves out of concerns. It is a normal defense mechanism because rationalizing and denial is effective in reducing fear and anxiety. Having a support system amongst peers and creating a plan can mitigate this anxiety and fear. For example, if you are a teacher you can have the conversation about how to report and outline the support that you will offer each other through the reporting process, such as notifying authorities, preparing students and family, etc… Doing this will increase your confidence, reduce reactivity and increase responsivity. Anxiety about reporting will decrease. Having a plan provides a sense of security which can make a difference in the outcome of a potential catastrophe.  Know the protocols ahead of time.

You can  submit your concern about potential terrorist activity to tips.fbi.gov