The Melissa Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and prevention of violence through education, community service, research support and consultation. Our mission is to prevent violence and promote safer communities through education and application of research-based knowledge.

The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment Establishes Literacy Website for Educators

Internationally acclaimed reading expert, Dr. Dale Willows, has agreed to establish a literacy Web site in conjunction with The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment. The proposed site will serve as an integral tool in providing professional development information and training for elementary school teachers. [more]

“ACT Against Violence Training Program”

Adults and Children Together Against Violence (ACT) is a program designed by the American Psychological Association (APA) to train early childhood, mental health and service agency professionals to deliver an enhanced parent education curriculum.

For more information and to register, contact the Melissa Institute. 786-662-5210. To sign up for the training program and other information, click here.

Michael Aptman M.D., Melissa's father and one of the founders of the Institute, published an article in the journal, Neurology, entitled "One In A Million?" It expresses his professional and personal experiences as a result of Melissa's murder.

Meichenbaum Blogs on Psychology Today

Dr. Donald Meichenbaum, Research Director of The Melissa Institute, is a guest blogger on the Psychology Today website. To see his blog, please click here.

New paper available on Suicide

Dr. Donald Meichenbaum, Research Director of The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment has written a paper entitled 35 Years of Working with Suicidal Patients: Lessons Learned available on this site. [download]

The Melissa Institute Research Director Receives National Recognition

MIAMI - May 21, 2008 - Dr. Donald Meichenbaum, Research Director of The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment has been selected to receive the 2008 Career Achievement Award by the American Psychological Association. Meichenbaum was recognized for his seminal work in the training of clinical psychologists to deal with crises and emergencies. Dr. Meichenbaum is one of the founders of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and was previously honored by his peers as one of the most influential psychologists of the last century.

Handouts from all conferences since 2003 are now available in the Downloads section. See the growth of The Melissa Institute through the years in our Community Reports first published in 1997. Click on the Community Service section to enjoy students’ sunflower artwork and poems. Be inspired by Melissa’s visionary “Uncertainty” poem, Lynn Aptman’s poetic songs and other special writings.

14^th Annual Conference to be held on May 7, 2010 "Adolescent Depression & Suicide: Screening, Assessment and Intervention."

The Melissa Institute has launched a new website for school violence prevention. We invite you to visit TeachSafeSchools.org to access relevant, research based information for educators.