I've been a reporter and producer in several US cities for more than a decade, and I know what you see: when you turn on the local news, the top story often tells the story of brutal crime, and devastated victims. The reporter might talk about crime trends or community initiatives by police, but in my experience, there are rarely REAL, PROACTIVE solutions to the problem, and I am ready for that to change. | |
I've talked to probably hundreds of crime victims in my career, and almost always, looking back, there were signs that their loved one was dealing with mental health issues, and those signs were ignored. So imagine, if we could tell the stories of crime painting pictures of what might have happened in the suspects mind leading up to the unthinkable.
Think about if others noticed similar trends in their loved one - they get help - and lives are saved.
This project will mean interviewing the victims of crime; suspects' families; the suspects themselves, and analyzing the situation -and warning signs - with psychologists and mental health professionals.
This project literally means the difference between life and death.
It's one of the first journalistic initiatives of its kind with prevention in mind, not reaction.
Your gift, large or small could completely change our society.
[Once this project is reviewed and approved, more info will be available at http://kickstarter.com/PaulMatadeen. To help with this effort, please email Paul at [email protected]]
UPDATE:
I have been planning this project for months, and I would have never in my life imagined I would get close to publishing this proposal at a time when we as a nation mourn the loss of the adults and elementary school students at Sandy Hook Elementary.
Honestly, when it happened, I had to take a breath, because it was so overwhelming, but I can say this: I am more motivated than ever to get this project started and hopefully be a part of the solution to mental health-related violence problem that our nation faces each and every day.
As you read this proposal, think of your kids, your family, your friends, and your community. When I did, I could not help but feel overwhelmed to make our homes a more safe place for the ones we love.
-Paul Matadeen, project director, broadcast journalist