DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOW IT AFFECTS BEHAVIOR

Today's important broadcast segment addresses "DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and How IT AFFECTS BEHAVIOR".

Our distinguished guest is Mr. Jason Davis, poet and parent consultant on youth self-inflicted injuries, is co-founder of TODAY (To Overcome Discrimination Against Youth), an organization that both advocates and teaches the crucial awareness needed by parents to nurture their children so they don’t become attracted to gang life.  As one of their programs, Jason spearheads teams of young men to participate in park clean up campaigns throughout their communities.

Jason’s acute sensitivity to the need for adolescents to have a safe, clean environment where they can play is born out of painful recollections from his early childhood.  Jason’s lack of a safe environment was a key factor in his decision to join the Bloods in 1995.   The violence on the streets affected Jason so much that he began contemplating suicide--Jason was diagnosed initially as a paranoid schizophrenic.

Jason is a contributor to Dashaun Morris’ memoir, “War of the Bloods In My Veins” (Simon & Schuster) and was featured in a public service campaign (collaboration between Stay Strong Foundation, SAMHSA and the Ad Council) designed to raise awareness about mental health problems among young adults in the African American community. Please view PSA at www.storiesthatheal.samhsa.gov.

 As a spokesperson for The Stay Strong Foundation (New York based not-for-profit organization—www.thestaystrongfoundation.org), Jason addresses the issue of mental wellness in communities of color and the dire consequences if left undiagnosed and untreated.