School Active Shooter Drills: Mental & Behavioral Health Guidance

This resource summarizes key findings and recommendations from the 2025 report by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. It reviews how active-shooter drills and other security measures are commonly implemented in U.S. schools, outlines potential risks to the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of students and staff, and provides evidence-based guidance on how to design and conduct drills in a trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate manner that balances preparedness with psychological safety. The resource offers actionable best practices for planning, conducting, and following up after drills — with attention to mental-health supports, inclusion, and minimizing distress.