Numerous stressful situations influence teens daily, including child abuse, domestic violence, abandonment by parents, peer pressure and fear of failure.

Recent incidents of multiple victim school shootings have high- lighted the critical importance of procedures for detecting early warning signs of violence, and providing assistance to students who may be at-risk for violence. In an era where threats of violence among students have become almost commonplace, teachers and administrators need to be aware of the early warning signs of violence. Many schools have begun to consider procedures that will enable staff to identify students at risk and to provide support for students who may be at risk for violence or disruption. Teens show signs of these stresses early.  Some teens may express multiple warning signs---examine all of them before coming to a conclusion. Recognize early warning signs of teen violence as part of a pattern that progressively gets worse over time.

Depression and Isolation

Teens suffering from depression can turn to violence, especially when they feel bullied or ridiculed. Teens need a qualified, trained adult, other than a parent, whom they can go to with their problems. Doctors usually prescribe antidepressants to teen patients diagnosed with depression. These antidepressants can lead to deeper depression, suicidal thoughts, and violence, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Isolation from family and friends represent another side of depression.

This withdrawal includes having feelings of hopelessness. Such teens need someone with whom they can trust and communicate their feelings.

Threats of Suicide

When a teen expresses depression, especially when using alcohol and drugs, their risk of suicide becomes high. Some of the suicide threats you may hear include joking about suicide, talking about suicide, saying words such as, "There's no way out," acting in dangerous, reckless ways or having several accidents, attempting suicide through drugs or weapons, and writing about death or suicide. These threats or signs must be taken seriously. In fact, suicide is the third-leading cause of death for teens according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Threats of Violence

When a teen says they will beat someone up or even kill someone, take this threat seriously. Pay attention when you notice a preoccupation with weapons, such as guns or bombs. Notify proper authorities when necessary. Letting someone trained in dealing with violent threats can help save injuries or save a life.

Another way teens can express violence is through art and writing. When you happen to read or see drawings depicting violence, you know this teen needs help from someone who can assist professionally. Threatening to cause violence to animals, including pets, and following through with the violence, represents another warning sign to take seriously.

This behavior can escalate to harming people.

Uncontrolled Rage

When a teen explodes into a rage when angry, disappointed or for any reason, this warning sign lets you know it can turn into violence. Everyone expresses anger--it is a natural part of life--however all anger need not turn into violence. Teens must learn how to talk about their feelings, mainly with someone they trust. Teens need to learn a way to express anger or disappointment calmly, without losing their temper. Learning how to listen to negative feedback without feeling upset is also crucial.

Multiple Warning Signs

Once you observe multiple warning signs expressed by a teen, get the opinion of a qualified therapist or psychologist as to how to proceed and whether the signs appear to be leading to violence.

An example of multiple warning signs turning into violence was the 1999 Columbine High School shooting massacre in Littleton, Colorado, where two teens, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, killed and injured students and teachers, then killed themselves.

Both shooters suffered from depression, were on antidepressants and targeted popular athletes who used to torment them; one shooter killed the school principal as payback for suspending him from school.

The current generation of American teenagers has grown up surrounded by gun violence.

Whether in the central cities or more recently in the nation‘s rural heartlands, guns have been central to the character of youth violence for nearly 30 years (Zimring, 1999).