Tip 6 Controlling Anger
Provided by the Safe Schools Unit, San Diego County Office of Education

Students:

• Understand it's normal to feel angry or frustrated when you've been let down or betrayed, but anger doesn't justify violence
• Be aware, there are serious consequences to violence
• If you feel you're going to strike out physically, remove yourself from the situation
• Control your internal response: stay cool, take a deep breath, ask yourself if your external response is safe and reasonable
• Find ways to "up-shift," like sports, reading, music, journal writing
• Talk about your feelings, find a friend or an adult you trust
• Listen to others, ask yourself if you can really see the other person's point of view
  
• Negotiate, work out your problems with someone else by looking at alternative solutions and compromises

Parents:

• Don't engage in physical or verbal abuse, model positive ways to solve problems
• Be available - your child needs your love and support
• Practice and use "up-shifting" techniques with your child, find positive ways to diffuse anger
• Empathize with your child's feelings and help them become problem solvers by discussing
  positive solutions to conflict
• If your child cannot control his/her anger, get help immediately

Schools:

• Teach conflict resolution classes
• Create peer mediation programs