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Texas lawmakers look for cause of school shootings

In the wake of the school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas lawmakers are trying to make sure it doesn't happen again.

In the wake of the school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas lawmakers are trying to make sure it doesn't happen again.

A special committee in the Texas Senate is holding hearings over the summer and Wednesday the senators focused on the cause of these shootings.

Testimony lasted most of the day and covered a wide range of issues like sleep deprivation. Officials said teenagers just need more rest, alternative schools – because they say troubled teens should be included, not excluded -- and mental health services.

Dr. Clifford Moy with the Texas Medical Association said they recommend an increase in youth mental health screenings, as well as more school counselors who can help identify students who are at risk.

While many schools struggle to employ counselors, some suggests using telemedicine, and allow counselors and psychologists to video chat with students.

"Telemedicine or telepsychiatry can be a very useful tool for access, not only in rural, but in urban areas. It doesn't completely replace that face-to-face interaction that a patient would have with their psychiatrist or another counselor,” said Moy.

Jeff Temple, a professor and psychologist at UTMB, testified that he worries there's too much emphasis on finding the next school shooter and not enough on just giving primary prevention care to all students.

Temple believes there needs to be more teaching of communication skills, relationship skills, conflict resolution skills and stress reduction skills.

"Every kid will experience some adversity, so we might as well arm them with the skills to combat this stress and adversity,” said Temple.

School counselors, social workers and psychologists said they want the state to mandate what counselors do and what they're responsible for.

They said many times they have so many tasks that fall outside of the care of a student's mental health, that they can't focus on what they need to.

Sharon Bey has been a school counselor for 33 years.

Bey said the ratio in Texas is one counselor for every 450 students.

She wants to see better state data that shows what geographic areas and districts need more counselors.

"There is no one in my opinion who is more important than a school counselor because if we don't help these students with those problems that interfere with their education, how can we expect them to do well,” said Bey.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick designated this committee to help prevent school violence.

Patrick has voiced concerns about violent video games and movies being a cause of these shootings, but the medical professionals testified that's not the case.

Temple said it's a multi-tiered issue that starts long before those games.

The Senate committee will hold another hearing on Tuesday, where they are scheduled to talk about "Red Flag" laws, which is when someone can temporarily remove firearms from someone who poses a danger to themselves.

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