Students who are verbally aggressive and potentially violent

When a student is faced with a frustrating, seemingly insurmountable challenge, s/he may express anger toward others. Additionally, drugs or alcohol may increase some students’ propensity for aggressive behaviour. Certain social situations may also elicit aggressive responses. In some cases, the aggression may be indicative of the onset of a mental health disorder. It is worth noting that students rarely act out violently.

Violence cannot be predicted, but there are some observable indicators that suggest a person may pose a danger of becoming violent. These include difficulty controlling emotions or behaviour, or difficulty controlling aggressive impulses. Since you will not always know the historical or immediate background of a particular student, it is important for you to be aware of “concerning behaviours” and to respond appropriately.