Preventing Youth Violence:
Communities Take Action
Violence Prevention
Today a variety of behavioral health problems confront communities large
and small, urban and rural, diverse and homogeneous. A serious and intractable
problem is YOUTH VIOLENCE. It is a problem that is made highly visible
by the media, and is surrounded by myths that, if believed, cause some
people to think no problem exists and others to adopt inappropriate and
ineffective policies and programs to combat it.
The truth is that YOUTH VIOLENCE, which peaked in the early 1990s, has declined; however, the number of youth who report their involvement in serious acts of physical VIOLENCE has remained level (Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2001).
Violence Prevention is Possible
THE SAFE SCHOOLS/HEALTHY STUDENTS INITIATIVE, a joint effort by SAMHSA, the Department of Education, and the Department of Justice, funded Sacramento County (CA) to provide Student Assistance Program (SAP) interventionists in the schools. This program has been able to reduce youth violence. Here are examples of how it has been done:
When John, a high school student, was suspended for fighting, the SAP intervention assistant suggested that he join an anger management group. In the support group, John learned what triggered his anger and how to redirect his angry feelings to experience positive outcomes. He developed effective communication skills and insight into the importance of positive self-talk and visualization techniques. After experiencing success in managing his own behavior, John completed peer mediation training and is now on a school conflict management team to help other students resolve conflicts without violence.
Another student who had heard that there was to be a fight came in to tell the SAP interventionist. The SAP notified the administration and then met with the students to help them resolve their conflict. No fight occurred.
This ACTION series is designed to help your community achieve similar successes.
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