APA Launches Web Guide About Preventing School Violence

Posted on December 8, 1999

In light of the tragic school shooting in Oklahoma, students, parents and teachers may be looking for information on how to prevent school violence before it starts. The American Psychological Association and MTV:Music Television have co-produced a "Warning Signs" guide that will further help young people recognize when a classmate or friend might be a potential danger to themselves or others. The guide can be obtained by calling the APA at (800) 268-0078 or by logging on to APA's consumer HelpCenter: http://helping.apa.org.

In addition, psychologists are facilitating community youth forums nationwide on the topic of violence. "Engaging youth throughout the country in dialogue about violence is the necessary first step in addressing this problem," says Dr. Russ Newman, APA's executive director for professional practice. "The more young people understand about violent behavior and its warning signs, the better prepared they'll be to help prevent it."