Clark held a Mental Health Monday presentation on anger management with Clark counselor Dr. Tim Cook as speaker. The meeting was held on March 3, in the Penguin Student Lounge.
    Cook said that he has been an anger management expert for 10 years. He said that anger is a natural emotion, and people need to be taught how to express it productively. “Anger is a choice that we make,” Cook said. “It’s a healthy emotion to who we are.”
    Cook said that there is nothing wrong with anger unless it disables the victim and those around them. Cook said that most people don’t realize that their anger issues present a danger. He said that people close to those with anger problems usually confront them.
    Clark counselor Judy Van Patten said that people often use a lot of distorted thinking to fuel anger. She said the way to cope with anger is to change the thinking in order to change the negative feeling.
    Van Patten said that in American culture, women are taught to suppress their anger. She said that this is dangerous because it can lead to depression.
    Van Patten said that some women in abusive relationships will suppress their anger, which leads them into other abusive relationships. Van Patten said that some women think it’s not safe to be angry.
    “I tend to see women who ought to be angry but aren’t,” Van Patten said.
    Clark student Jenn Brown said the meeting was right on when it came to talking about positive strategies to deal with anger management. “I came from an abusive household,” Brown said. 
    Cook said that when people get angry, it’s usually because they feel attacked, engulfed or abandoned. He said that some of the best ways to work through anger is to try relaxing exercises or sports. Jogging around the block or walking can reduce anger.
    When Cook described dealing with road rage, he said that finding humor in it is much healthier than lashing out.
    “Healthy ways to express anger are in words,” Van Patten said.
    Van Patten said that complaining usually increases anger. She said that complaining is lashing out and blaming others. Van Patten said that venting and talking about anger are two completely different things. She said complaining can be compared to criticizing, opposed to solving the problem.
    “I think that getting help and talking to somebody about how they feel could express anger in a way that won’t destroy people around them,” Van Patten said.
    Van Patten said that if students notice people in their lives with anger issues, the best way to confront them is to describe their behavior to them, express concern, let them know how it affects you and suggest treatment options.
    Counseling is offered at Clark. Students who feel they need to see a counselor can call the counseling center and make an appointment to talk with Van Patten, Cook or other counselors at Clark.  
    “It’s useful to get help because it’s hard to be your own therapist,” Van Patten said.