Analyzing horrendous acts of violence with mental health professionals to identify future warning signs and promote prevention.
::PROPOSAL::
From the heart of broadcast journalist Paul Matadeen --
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.
This project - a weekly series of web-video reports - will take a look at crime from a mental health perspective. 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.
Please -- support this effort right now.
::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.
(Note: Above photo is believed to be a public domain image)
::Production Note:: I have been in touch with the executive director of Safe Faith United, a Las Vegas-based organization that helps battered women from domestic violence get back on their feet. She has shared with me support for this project and what I'm trying to do. I will start with volunteers from that organization to tell their stories, however, this project will aim to tell stories across the nation. Here are examples of the women helped as a part of Safe Faith United:
::PUBLISHING PLAN::
Videos will be hosted on YouTube for it's ease of access and search abilities, and promoted on the front page of my professional website at http://ReporterPaul.com. They will be in a similar format to the video blog I've started at http://PaulReporting.com. I am using the ReporterPaul.com URL because the site has been up for years, and gets hundreds of hits each day. I believe it is time to make it more than a professional site. It's time for the site to be the project and not just a portfolio of work.
::Paul's Past Work Portfolio::
::Paul Matadeen's Recent Professional Endorsements::
Ryan Goodman, Nightly 11 Producer, KSNV-TV (NBC Las Vegas) said:
"Over the year and a half I directly worked with Paul, he has grown considerably as a news reporter. He has no fear about trying to dig deep and get to the bottom of a story."
Erik Ho, Nightly 11 Photographer, KSNV-TV (NBC Las Vegas) said:
"I had the pleasure of working with Paul for over a year as his photographer. His forward-thinking, "go get 'em" attitude was a huge help on stories.. I enjoy his fun, positive attitude and developed a great friendship with him during his tenure a KSNV, News 3."
Gerard Ramalho, Weekend Anchor & Managing Editor, KSNV-TV (NBC Las Vegas) said: "...I watched Paul's skills grow considerably. I would describe him as very aggressive reporter, willing to go the extra mile to get exclusive sound or images for his stories. Paul is a very efficient reporter who knows how to enterprise ideas, cultivate sources and make the best use of his time..." Per your request, the following individuals can provide an additional professional reference for Paul Matadeen: Nancy Harmeyer, LA Bureau Chief, Fox News Channel Russel Cosby, Dallas Bureau Chief, Fox News Channel Jeff Gillan, Assistant News Director, KSNV-TV NBC Las Vegas
