Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health challenges that teens face.  But you probably knew that already. It shows up in a student spending more time in the bathroom to avoid going to class, constantly needing reassurance, unexplained physical illnesses, and at the sever end, not coming to school.  With the median age of onset age 11, we know you’re called on to help elementary through high school.
 
The winter WSCA conference had an excellent break out session on child and adolescent anxiety with helpful interventions from Rogers Memorial Hospital in Oconomowoc—go to it if it’s offered again.
But until then, here’s a great website that can help teens and children understand and start to take charge of their anxiety, and it follows the same treatment premises outlined by the Rogers group. 

AnxietyBCYouth  http://youth.anxietybc.com/  It's a website specifically for teens to understand and start to control their anxiety. It's also a good info source for adults in helping them understand what’s helpful and what’s not. We know parents, while trying to help, can often set kids back in dealing with anxiety.
 
Also, the site offers a good app--MindShift  “MindShift will help you learn how to relax, develop more helpful ways of thinking, and identify active steps that will help you take charge of your anxiety.” If teens are going to be on their phones, give them something that can help.
 
Two great resources to offer students when you want to do more than just send them back to class.

​For years I had this fear of being “found out.”  Some day the School Counselor or DPI Police would shadow me and it would be over—they’d know I haven’t been following all the rules.  That list of stuff “good school counselors” are suppose to do… not all of it is getting done.  
 
Last fall I won a State award.  In Madison, at the DPI offices, I decided to confess before they learned the truth.  Meeting with the Assistant State Superintendent I said, “My district is small. I don’t follow most State programs the way they’re presented. I have to look at what the major objective is and then try to meet it in our own way.” Her response: “That’s probably the way it should be.”   Whew… I was safe!
 
And what a relief for all of us! Modifying, changing a program to fit where you are and the kids you work with not only makes sense, DPI acknowledges that’s probably the way it has to be.
 
I’m also hoping there's something else contained in her statement-- the sentiment that DPI recognizes each of us as a professional.  You have the ability to see what is needed and address those concerns. You know your students, staff, and community. You are in this profession to make a difference and if modifying helps you get there, go out and change the program or plan to make it work. Follow your instincts.
 
So, no more fear of being found out, go out and modify!

So what do you need to do?  Think of a project you'd love to start or continue if you only had the money-- books to start mindfulness in the elementary (that's my plan!), play therapy toys and games, seating, books for classroom guidance, Chromebooks for your students to use in your office, hotspots for kids to check out... the list is endless!  Go on the Donors Choose website, make an account, and follow the directions. They'll ask for info about your school, your kids, a picture of you, and a picture of your classroom. You shop for items online through places like Scholastic and Amazon.  Don't be surprised if they send your application back for tweaking-- if they ask you to be specific with information, they want details!

It will take at least an hour of your time to complete an application so get started!  It would be sad if "back to school" is also "back to giving" for the Kohl Foundation and you miss out! 

​Here's a link to get you started:  www.donorschoose.org/