Resources - Anger Management
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This page contains relevant information and resources for students concerned about anger management.
Anger is a powerful emotion that we can all experience from time to time. It is normal to feel angry in frustrating situations, the difference is in how we display that anger and respond to it. Some people may attempt to suppress or hide their anger, while others may openly express it in the form of violent behaviour. Both these responses tend to represent unhealthy anger management. If this strong emotion is not acknowledged and addressed in the appropriate way, it can build to a spontaneous eruption of anger, or end up causing harm to others, or yourself. Often the way we react to anger is learnt by observing those close to us, such as watching how our parents react to similar situations. Unfortunately, in this way, inappropriate anger management can be continually passed down through the generations, without even being aware of it. The good news, however, is that we can learn to manage our anger in healthier ways, and stop this cycle in its tracks.
How to Find Help
If you have trouble dealing with anger, or feel yourself reacting violently or inappropriately when frustrated, you could benefit from speaking with a counsellor, or another health professional. Talking with a counsellor experienced in anger management techniques can help you explore why these situations may be causing you anger, and develop ways to control how you express your anger. There are also a number of workshops and support groups who provide additional support and guidance in managing your anger.
Domestic Violence
If you feel someone close to you deals with anger inappropriately, or is causing harm in their expression of anger, there is also support available to help you. Domestic violence is an all too common consequence of inappropriate anger management, and there are a number of organisations in the community dedicated to helping both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. Speaking with a counsellor can also help you to determine how you can help to prevent this violence, and assist the perpetrators to seek help. Domestic violence is never the fault of the victim, but it is vital that you speak to someone if you are being hurt by someone close to you, so that the chain of violent anger responses can be stopped. Hiding domestic violence will not make it go away.
Swinburne University Services and Resources
- Swin-eCounselling Workshops and Community Programs Information - Information on helpful workshops and community programs offered at Swinburne.
- Student Development and Counselling - For one-on-one counselling to help you deal with your, or a loved one's, feelings of anger and find ways to better manage these feelings.
- Swinburne Psychology Clinic - For one-on-one, or group, counselling to help address and manage your anger.
- Local Community Council Databases - Search for your local community services that offer help with anger management.
Other Anger Management Services and Resources
- APS: Anger Tip Sheet - Tip sheet for understanding and managing anger, provided by the Australian Psychological Society.
- Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre- Aims to reduce and prevent family violence by providing education to improve service and policy responses, and by assisting people who have experienced abuse.
- Men's Referral Service, The - The Men's Referral Service', the primary telephone counselling and referral service for men in Victoria who use violence towards family members. Men concerned about their use of violence or aggression can ring the Men's Referral Service on (03) 9428 2899 or 1800 065 973.
- Reach Out!: Anger Tip Sheet - Facts and tips for young people struggling with anger management and related issues.
- Virtual Pamphlet Collection - A collection of virtual pamphlets on many common student difficulties, including various mental health conditions as well as study tip sheets. Collated by the University of Chicago.