Youth Anger Control

We all feel anger at times; anger is a natural human emotion.  For most of us the outlet of our anger is something other than aggression.  Sometimes we pout; sometimes we withdraw, perhaps muttering to ourselves; sometimes we allow the anger to spur us to constructive problem-solving.

In only a small percentage of people anger leads to aggression in the form of verbal or physical attempts to hurt the person with whom we are angry.

However, for chronically aggressive youth, the opposite is true.  Seldom do they merely pout, withdraw or constructively problem-solve.  Instead they often lash out with intent to harm – sometimes with words, commonly with fists and more increasingly with weapons.  Also more and more often, we are seeing youth who turn their anger inward and express it through self-harm.

The Youth Anger Control Program teaches participants what not to do (be aggressive) and how they are not going to do it (the coping strategies that they are going to learn in the group.)  The program runs once a week for eight weeks and is available to youth aged 13 to 15 and 16 to 18.

If you would like more information or learn how you can participate in the Youth Anger Control Program call Lisa Ramsay at the Addictions and Mental Health Centre (519) 754-0253, extension 304 or Lorna Sowa at the Youth Action Centre (519) 756-7665.  You can also drop in and see us between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Monday to Friday at the Walk-in Clinic at 133 Elgin Street, Brantford.