1. Jennifer Briskin, Ed.S., School Psychologist
Improving Mental Health & Decreasing Anxiety
Jennifer Briskin, Ed.S., School Psychologist

2. What is Anxiety?
Uneasiness, worry, or tension we experience when we expect a real or perceived threat to our welfare.
All humans experience anxiety. It is necessary for preparation and protection from danger.
It can enhance our performance in stressful situations.
10-20% of school age children experience anxiety symptoms
Psyching up and not psyching out!

3. When Does It Become Harmful?
When it affect’s a child’s ability to learn, make friends, or have fun
When it begins to impact a child’s functioning
Difficulty sleeping
Affects concentration and decision making (test anxiety)
Thinking is unrealistic, catastrophic, and pessimistic
Physical symptoms- stomachaches, nausea, vomiting.
Perfectionism

4. Research Based Ways to Relax
Belly breathing vs. chest breathing
Having a list of your favorite things where you can see it
Guided imagery
Exploring Nature
Yoga
Art- provides emotional release
Play!
Repetitive phrases paired with breathing

5. Research Based Ways to Relax
Eat dinner together
Have family meetings
Spend time with extended family members
Plan game nights
Go on a picnic
Have a movie night
Go on a “technology diet”

6. Test Anxiety
Specific phobia where symptoms interfere with concentration, problem solving, and creative thinking during tests.

7. Causes of Test Anxiety Fear of failure Lack of preparation
Poor test history

8. What Does it Feel Like? Going blank Frustration
Thoughts like "I can't do this" or "I'm stupid"?
Heart racing
Breathing difficulties

9. Symptoms
Physical symptoms. Headache, nausea, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, light-headedness
Emotional symptoms. Feelings of anger, fear, helplessness and disappointment
Behavioral/Cognitive symptoms. Difficulty concentrating, thinking negatively and comparing yourself to others

10. Tips to Reduce Test Anxiety
Before tests:
Prepare and study
Relaxation Techniques
Practice self-talk
Limit worrying to a specific “worry time” and say “not now” at other times
Avoid talking about the test- anxiety can be contagious!
Use different ways to study (ex: study groups, flashcards, talk about information with your stuffed animals)

11. Tips to Reduce Test Anxiety
Before tests:
Get enough sleep
Eat a healthy breakfast

12. Tips to Reduce Test Anxiety
Positive association between student’s concentration and memory and physical activity.
Students who engage in frequent physical activity score better on achievement tests.
Exercise!

13. Tips to Reduce Test Anxiety
Before tests:
Teach the material to a younger sibling or parent
Recite important information aloud
Set study goals (ex: I will study for 20 minutes and then I can play outside)

14. Tips to Reduce Test Anxiety
During tests:
Move on from difficult items
Avoid comparing self to peers
Use relaxation skills (“ooh breathing”)
Body check!
Positive self-task

15. Stop, Drop, and Roll Study by Cheek, Bradley, Reynolds, and Coy (2002)
STOP- put your pencil down and place your hands on the cool surface of the table
DROP- drop your head forward, take a deep breath
ROLL- roll your head around 3 times
Of the students who used this technique, 87.5% of them went on to pass their next benchmark assessment that they previously failed.
Parents and teachers reported a reduction in stress-reaction behaviors.

16. Bibliotherapy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMVI2YImN6 4
Anxious Adam Braves The Test By: Leo Trinidad

17. 30 Books to Teach Empathy
the-best-books-to-teach-children-empathy/

18. Improving Mental Health
In a state of well-being in which he/she realizes his or her own abilities
They are able to cope with life’s normal stresses
Feels unconditional love
Is confident and has a high degree of self- esteem.

19. Improving Mental Health
Draw attention to something specific the child has done- “I like the way you_____”
Offer choices when appropriate, then respect and abide by their decisions.
Offer many creative activities where your children can express their ideas and feelings.
Offer your children opportunities for interacting and playing with other children.

20. Talk about Emotions Teach children that all emotions are ok.
Validate their feelings using statements such as, “I can see that you are feeling nervous right now. Let’s figure out what the next step will be to make you feel better”.
Allow them “Worry Time”

21. Build Up Self-Esteem

22. Improving Mental Health
Do not accommodate every need:
When we try to overprotect, we get in the way of children being able to develop their own problem-solving skills.
2. Teach Children to Problem Solve
Set goals
Engage your child in figuring out how to handle challenges

23. Questions/Comments?
Thank you!