The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46585

Suzanne Stutman, MA, MSW, BCD¹, Paula Mintzies, PhD¹, and Mercedes D. Hernandez, PhD². (1) Institute for Mental Health Initiatives, 2175 K Street, NW Suite 700, Washington, DC 20037, 202-467-2285, imhsss@gwumc.edu, (2) School of Public Health and Health Services, The George Washington University, 2175 K Street, NW, 7th floor, Washington, DC 20037

RETHINK©, an anger management program that incorporates a cognitive behavioral approach,teaches seven core skills to help manage angry feelings and resolve conflict in constructive ways. Through the use of these skills, individuals can develop the capacity and become empowered to resolve conflict. Two programs were designed -- one for teachers and parents and a separate program for teens. Now these program materials are being adapted in order to teach these skills to 6th graders in a public school in northeast DC.

This seminar will provide an overview of the RETHINK© program as it is being introduced into this public school, highlighting IMHI's work with staff, parents and students. We will provide an overview of the process of change - the process of how the Institute for Mental Health Initiatives (IMHI) introduced this mental health program into a school community,focusing on the activities now underway in teaching these anger management skills. The seminar will highlight assessment and evaluation procedures (e.g. surveys and anecdotal reporting) that were conducted prior to, during, and at the completion of the class. We will review the skills that are being taught and implications as to how the learning of these skills empower youth with life-long skills while building on the opportunity for providing service within their school.

Results of the project include: increase staff awareness and knowledge about anger and of the RETHINK© skills; empowering parents with tools for themselves and with their children; and empowering students with skills they can use for themselevs and to teach kindergartners.

Learning Objectives: Participants will

• Learn about the process of how a mental health education and intervention program was introduced into an urban public school.
• Learn about the "4" components of anger.
• Learn about the 7 core skills taught in the RETHINK© program.
• Experience a portion of one lesson that teaches one of the RETHINK© skills.
• Increase understanding of how promoting mental health can also lead to providing service to others.

Keywords: Education, Mental Health

Related Web page: www.imhi.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.