The Evolve Program

Wanting to bring about change in society, even if it seems far-fetched is not itself something to be concerned by. However, when someone believes that violence is the only way to do this, it may be time to seek some support for the individual. 

Peer pressure, manipulation and group influence are strong forces, but their effects or presence can be hard to spot. If someone in your life is expressing views that do not seem like their own or are being negatively influenced by people who advocate for hate and/or violence, please get in contact with us. We can offer support to both you and the person you’re worried about.  

Questioning and challenging ideas and norms can be a part of strengthening our belief system and our normal intellectual curiosity. Believing in conspiracy theories is not necessarily harmful. However, there may be cause for concern when these conspiracy theories lead a person to blame a specific group for ‘controlling’ the world or suggest that the government is ‘out to get them’.  

Concern about the future is natural and healthy, and sometimes the challenges the world faces feel overwhelming. However, a fixation on believing the world is about to end or society is nearing collapse can cause a person to do things they normally would not. This line of thinking is especially concerning if the person starts to believe they need to use violence to bring about social collapse or re-birth.

Life has many challenges and hardships, and sometimes people want to blame their, or the world's, problems on a specific group of people they believe are responsible. Feelings of rejection or being left behind by society are not in themselves suggestive that someone is in need of support. However, expressing a desire to harm or attack a specific group of people, because of their perceived influence or power, is cause for concern.

Hate symbols and media are extremely diverse and not always easy to identify. However, if someone starts displaying or wearing a symbol that you’re unfamiliar with and that you think may be associated with a hateful ideology, please reach out to us. These types of symbols may also appear on an individual’s computer or social media accounts. We can help you understand the symbol, what it means, and whether it warrants a conversation with the person.  

As people grow and change, so do their interests; what someone used to enjoy a lot may no longer fit their preferences or goals. However, if you notice someone isolating and disengaging suddenly from important relationships and activities that used to bring them a great deal of enjoyment, that may be a reason to ask further questions. If the person stopped participating in activities or hanging around with friends for largely ideological reasons, think about reaching out to Evolve.