Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 24th, 2012 (SKNIS): Fifty newly certified trainers in anger management are ready to be deployed in communities across St. Kitts and Nevis to help persons, particularly young people, to control their emotions and channel them positively.
The persons successfully completed the John Howard Society (JHS), Toronto Anger Management Facilitators Course which was organised by Operation Future and held on August 22 and 23 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
Participants came from all walks of life including counsellors, psychologists, nurses, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), faith based organization leaders, medical students from Windsor University, and officers and inmates of Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP).
Prison Officer Lois Smith told SKNIS that she was grateful for the opportunity to gain this new skill as it will be very useful when interacting with difficult personalities on and off the job.
“Instead of getting angry and shouting ... [I will] relax, take a time out and be more positive in my answers,” Officer Smith said, citing a scenario where she is in confrontation with another individual. “It will help to make the person feel more comfortable and will make it easier to approach me.”
Meanwhile HMP inmate Patrice Matthew revealed that as a member of Operation Future, he regularly counsels his peers. “I will gladly share the lessons with my fellow inmates and even the officers,” he disclosed enthusiastically. “The information shared was for us to relay to others and not keep it for ourselves and now that I am a facilitator, I want to help facilitate and organise anger management sessions.”
In fact, members from the various groups formed during the workshop signalled their intention to hold sessions with persons in their respective communities. Participants suggested and agreed to establish an oversight body consisting of one representative from each group to monitor future training activities and offer support where necessary.
JHS Anger Management and Domestic Assault Facilitator, Laverda Thomas led the two-day sessions. She disclosed that the workshop achieved its objectives of explaining the anger management programme and training individuals how to deliver effective treatment in various settings.
“It [the workshop] exceeded my expectations to be honest,” Ms. Thomas stressed. “It was a surprise that they wanted to form an overall governing body - that was absolutely amazing.”
Ms. Thomas referred to the 3rd annual conference held by Operation Future on August 20 and 21 and stated that she was inspired by the participant’s commitment.
“... Individuals are coming forward to serve their community. That is exactly what St. Kitts and Nevis needs - every community needs it,” she emphasized. “It takes a community to raise a child.”
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