PSYCHOLOGISTS & MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION LAUNCH YOUTH ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT

MTV Special airs April 22^nd to help youth identify warning signs of violence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tricia Alvarez(APA)
202-336-5910

Jennifer Zabriskie (APA)
310-274-8787 x121

Marnie Malter (MTV)
212-258-7004

(Washington, DC) – Victims of violence in America today are most likely to be between the ages of 12 and 24. According to MTV: Music Television research, violence is the number one concern overall among its viewers. And, in a recent American Psychological Association (APA)/Penn, Schoen + Berland poll, 40 percent of youth say they have been concerned about a potentially violent classmate.

To help youth proactively address the problem of violence, APA and MTV have teamed up to provide youth with information about identifying the warning signs of violent behavior and how to get help if they recognize these signs in themselves or their peers. The project will be launched with the airing of a 30-minute MTV special, called "Warning Signs," on April 22^nd at 4:30pm (ET/PT). "Warning Signs," is the first major piece of programming in "Fight for Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Violence," MTV’s 1999 pro-social campaign.

According to the APA/Penn, Schoen + Berland poll, 71 percent of youth say they want to learn the warning signs of violent behavior. "Violence is a learned behavior, and like any learned behavior, it can be changed," says Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., executive director for professional practice, American Psychological Association. "In order to do that, though, it is important to recognize the warning signs of violence and to get help before violence occurs."

APA and MTV have also 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: helping.apa.org.

In addition, psychologists will be 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. Newman. "The more young people understand about violent behavior and its warning signs, the better prepared they’ll be to help prevent it."

The MTV/APA partnership is part of MTV’s "Fight for Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Violence", which is supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Justice, other federal agencies and non-profit organizations. "The goal of ‘Fight for Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Violence’ is to give the MTV audience a voice in the national debate on violence, and to provide them specific ways they can help reduce violence in their communities," says Judy McGrath, MTV president.

The "Warning Signs" project is also part of APA's public education campaign, "Talk to Someone Who Can Help," about the importance of good mental health and the role of psychological services. A 1995 APA public opinion poll revealed a need for such information: 47 percent of Americans said they didn't know enough about when it's appropriate to see a mental health professional and 68 percent didn't know how they should go about seeking help if they think they needed it.