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Psychiatrists urge delay of live-shooter drills in Philippine schools
The Philippine Psychiatric Association and Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have called for postponing active shooter simulations in public schools, citing insufficient evidence that such drills reduce casualties or prevent incidents.
LSN Philippines ·
Mental health professionals in the Philippines are urging education authorities to defer scheduled live-shooter drills in public schools nationwide, arguing that current research does not support their effectiveness.
In a statement released Saturday, the Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) and Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (PSCAP) expressed concerns about the drills, noting that available evidence does not demonstrate that such simulations "reduce casualties or prevent incidents."
The groups did not elaborate on additional concerns in the available statement, though psychiatrists have previously raised questions about the psychological impact of active shooter drills on students and school staff.
The call comes as schools continue to grapple with school safety protocols and emergency preparedness measures. The psychiatric organizations' position suggests a need for further review of existing drill procedures before their implementation in educational settings.
Education officials have not yet responded to the psychiatric groups' request for a deferral of the scheduled drills.