Public Opinion & Responding to Crisis - Essay Example

The suicide at McKinley middle school is a report on the saddening death of a school teenager who took his own life away. Kenny McKinley who was laid to rest on September, 28th 2010, made the fatal attempt on his life while in school. A point to note is that suicidal signs or symptoms had been noted in him but as usual, they were not taken seriously. This occurrence brings about the big question about how seriously persons’ should view a crisis and take combative measures to make sure that it does not lead to a negative occurrence.

It is obvious that if at all the people around Kenny were swift enough in taking measures to deal with the suicidal symptoms in him, the chances of him taking away his own life would have been reduced. This is because a positive step had already been made toward averting the situation, the crisis had been identified (Kowalski, 2010). All they had to do is seek ways of mitigating the risks associated with the crisis at hand. The same situation is also exemplified in the case where Teddy Molina, a student from Flour Bluff High School, took away his life with a hunting rifle after what reports describe as a hounding experience from bullies on him.

The two cases are similar in that people around Molina were aware of his experiences and how much they were affecting him but it is sad to note that no action was taken to avert the crisis. Communication is the conveyance or imparting of information, knowledge, ideas, feelings or news from one party to another. Therefore, it is a very important tool that can be used to make or break a situation. From the point of view of a crisis, communication can effectively be used to avert the possible occurrence of an unfavorable event.

It is important to note, however, that, communication should be made in a good manner for it to bring out positive results because improper communication can even make situations worse. I believe that if at all proper communication would have been done to address Kenny’s suicidal symptoms, there are chances that the problems that led to his decision of taking away his own life would have been solved in a way. During that time, the people who were close to him should have reported this to someone who could offer help to him, like the school counselor, instead of assuming these signs.

A responsible person would have determined the gravity of his problem and sought ways to see sense and solve the problem with the deceased and help him overcome the suicidal feelings. A constant follow –up on him would also have helped him know that there were people on his side who were willing to help him face his troubles and would have helped him feel loved and protected. Most of such like cases are mainly caused by depression, a state in which a person feels dejected and sometimes hopeless and inadequate.

It is a state at which people can do very destructive things not only to the people around them but even to themselves. A person in this condition is in a crisis and should be handled with utmost care to make sure that they do not come to the point of taking destructive measures to try solving their issues. A properly thought out plan to deal with crisis is important in any institution, including schools. If McKinley Middle School had employed such a plan earlier, we would not have been talking of such cases as