Anxiety Resources

Anxiety is on the rise among students as confirmed by anecdotal information and Iowa Youth Survey data. On the Iowa Youth Survey, students responded to the question: "About how often during the past 30 days did you feel nervous?"

From 2012-2016 Iowa Youth Survey Results, the percentage of students in Iowa responding to this question with "all of the time" or "some of the time" rose among students in grades 6-12 and across genders from 9% in 2012 to 13% in 2014 to 17% in 2016. Helping students recognize, understand and develop tools and strategies to manage anxiety is critical to student success.

Here are some resources to help you address student anxiety in various situations:

• Test Anxiety Strategies: Specific tools to help students approach testing with confidence
• Coping Strategies for Supporting Students: Multiple strategies to help calm students who are suffering from anxiety.
• Facing Fears: Step by step strategies to help students face their fears

Connection to ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success

Grade Level: 9-12

Mindset Standards:

     1. Belief in development of whole self

     2. Self-confidence inability to succeed

Behavior Standards- Learning Strategies:

     3. Use time-management, organizational and study skills

Behavior Standards- Self Management Skills:

     7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem

     8. Demonstrate the ability to balance school, home, and community activities

    10. Demonstrate the ability to manage transactions and ability to adapt to changing situations and              responsibilities. 

Introduction

I am Pat Lehmann, one of your two new Keystone counseling consultants. Bev Berns and I are taking the reins from Amy Holst who has done an amazing job supporting Keystone school counselors. We are grateful for her help as we make this transition.

As a secondary administrator, I have worked extensively with student services in the academic, behavioral, social and emotional realms. I have a strong understanding of the school counselor role and also understand those roles can vary from district to district. I am a trainer for the Youth Mental Health First Aid certification program and a member of Keystone's mental health team.

My passion is ensuring that as educators we meet all students and their needs to the best of our abilities. I view the adults in a child's life as a critical factor in a child's successful education and preparation for adult life.

Going forward, my formal focus will be to support schools in the ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs and what that can look like and how it can serve students in Iowa schools.

Informally, I want to provide support where you need it in your district's counseling program and provide resources and tools to help you meet student needs. I look forward to this partnership. Together, we--communities, parents, schools, and AEAs--can provide a strong support system to ensure student success.