Educational Videos

Youth Mental Health Series: Arresting Anger

Program Outline:

Adolescence is a difficult time with teens typically juggling increased responsibility, decision making, and dealing with intense and complex emotions. Anger is one such emotion that can dramatically impact on the lives of some young people, and yet this universal human trait probably receives far less attention than grief or depression.

A certain level of anger in certain contexts can be considered normal and quite manageable. But too much anger in a poorly managed and volatile situation can lead to aggression, physical harm and a breakdown of relationships.

Experts in dealing with angry teenagers tell us that media images, transitional family situations and the struggle to deal with life changes can all contribute to teen anger. The good news is that there are positive ways for adults and peers to intervene and defuse anger, before it turns harmful.

So the aim of this new 23 minute program from Media Australia is to explore this topic by addressing the follow-ing questions:

• what are the inward and outward signs of anger?
• how is teenage anger expressed in a school setting?
• what are the common causes of teen anger?
• what is the relationship between anger and aggression?
• what role does parental conflict and family break-up play in generating teen anger?
• what connections are there between viewing angry or violent media images, and feeling angry?
• what strategies can adults and peers use to help an angry or aggressive teen?
• and what are some practical strategies for young people to manage their feelings and keep their anger within normal limits, in order to avoid harm?

These complex questions are addressed by experts from Relationships Australia, a highly respected secondary school principal experienced in dealing with behaviourally disturbed youth, and a prominent media commentator from RMIT University.

Their insightful comments are accompanied by student role plays of angry and aggressive behaviour that clearly show the incorrect, and correct manner of intervention. The program also includes appropriate graphics to rein-force these strategies and other key information, plus vox pop interviews with teenagers who explain how anger af-fects their lives.

The program comes with Teacher Notes and provides an invaluable springboard for generating thoughtful discus-sion amongst young viewers - and the teachers, parents, carers and others involved in their care or welfare.

The video is of particular value for secondary students in Year 9-12 for Health Education, Psychology, Personal or Human Development, Media Studies and Pastoral Care.

MEDIA AUSTRALIA
PO Box 2039, BDC
Bendigo, Vic 3554

Telephone: (03) 5439 3926
Mobile: 0417 146 762
Email: pwiseman@mediaust.com.au