Best Practices to Support Mental Health for Children and Youth…Breaking the Cycle of Anxiety
Part 3 of a 4 Part Series
Part 3 of a 4 Part Series
Submitted by: Stacey Hannay, HPEC Comprehensive School Health
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health complaints in children and teens today, and it is often observed in classroom settings by teachers through a variety of behaviors and signs. Anxiety is a natural response to certain life stressors that people may experience every day. In healthy amounts, anxiety can be a motivational tool that helps people do their best and learn new skills. Anxiety can also protect us from danger. If anxiety lasts too long, however, or is too intense, it may begin to interfere with a child’s/youth’s life. By constantly worrying about things that are unlikely to happen, and by avoiding certain situations or activities for fear of bad things happening, problems can arise at school and with friends.
So how does a teacher differentiate? This series will assist teachers to distinguish between normal anxiety and anxiety that is no longer helpful or productive. It will help all teachers to identify signs that a child or adolescent is experiencing problems with anxiety, which have a negative effect on their schooling experience. Not to panic teachers… there is an App for that too, check out the MindShift.
MindShift™ CBT
Mental Health Literacy Series: https://www.cyfcaregivereducation.ca/videos
Breaking the Cycle of Anxiety
Caregiver Handout:
Video:
