Post-Pandemic Stress and Anxiety

Teaneck Public Schools March 1, 2022
7:30 PM

Workshop Objectives:
How to deal with Anxiety and Stress in a Post Pandemic World…

post-pandemic anxiety and stress
• Discuss how to communicate with your child regarding

• Identify stress and anxiety triggers
express their emotions
• Understand the importance of helping your child

model for your child
• Understand the importance of acting as a resilient role-

Reflection:
Past, Present, and Future

• Life Before the COVID 19 Pandemic • Life now
• Life in the future

Impact of quarantine on the general population:

• Post traumatic stress • Depression
• Anxiety

Stressors:
• Fears of infection • Frustration
• Boredom
• Poor information • Loss of income
• Stigma
• Violence in the home
• Passing of a friend, family member, colleague, or loved one

Why are people experiencing feelings of increased anxiety and stress in the post-pandemic world?

It makes perfect sense to feel anxious and bewildered right now, just as we were finally adjusting to a new normal with some predictability and fluidity.

There’s a new normal…

“The adult today unfortunately has a double function: to calm their own anxiety and to appease the anxiety of the youngest children.”

-Dr. Domingues, Ph.D. Child Mind Institute

THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR CHILDREN

When parents and caregivers confront COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide children with the best support.

In this way, parents can transmit more tranquility to those around them, especially children.

David Anderson, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Child Mind Institute

Parents as Role Models:

Children copy what they see and repeat what they hear…

“The way children and adolescents behave and react is based on what they observe in the adults around them.”

-Albert Banduras

Albert Banduras, Social Learning Theory

Reflection: How do YOU handle stress?

Understanding Emotions:

Emotions are reactions that we all experience

They are not negative

They are not positive

They just are

Older children and adolescents may exhibit the following:
• Behavioral changes: exhibiting different or unusual mood patterns • Change in personal relationships or friendships
• Personality changes:
• Demonstrating limited interest, or increasing negative/addictive behaviors (excessive texting or activity on social media, connecting with friends via video chats)
• Loss of interest in activities they enjoyed:
• Did your child with a passion for music suddenly stop playing guitar? • Has your aspiring chef lost interest in cooking or baking?

Older children and adolescents may exhibit the following (continued):

• Changes in weight or eating habits, loss of appetite or overeating • Trouble falling or staying asleep or excessive sleeping
• Lack of concern for personal hygiene or appearance • Memory, reasoning, or concentration problems
• Little interest in homework and decreased academic effort • Reckless behavior: using drugs or alcohol
• Thoughts about death or suicide

Supporting your child during stressful times:

• Talk to your child about COVID19 • Answer questions honestly
• Limit your child’s exposure to media coverage
• Keep them healthy and safe
• Validate their feelings, concerns and emotions
• Help your child find positive outlets to express emotions

Socially Adjusting to the “New Normal” at School…

Enroll your child in after school activities and clubs:

After school programs options are available at many schools and offered by the Teaneck Recreation Department.

https://www.teanecknj.gov/ages-18-months-to-17-years

Stress and Anxiety Management Step One

Recognize and Identify:

•	Look for signs
•	Notice if your child is demonstrating signs of anxiety or appears stressed

* It is relevant to help children express their feelings, such as fear, sadness, and anguish.

Step 2 Express and Discuss:

Once you identify that your child is under stress or feeling anxious, help them express their feelings through effective communication.

•	“How do you feel when you tell me that?”

•	“Where do you feel that emotion inside you? Can you point to where
you feel that emotion?

•	“What word or words could you use to express that emotion?”

Step 3 Get moving!
Find ways to channel that emotion through physical activity.

Step 4
Encourage healthy eating habits:

• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Keep healthy snacks available
• Prepare meals together

Step 5 Keep busy!

Step 6 Practice Mindfulness:

Step 7 Physical affection

• Cuddling, kissing, and hugging are stress relievers.

Step 8

Take a deep breath…

Step 9 Listen to relaxing
music:

Music has very positive effects on the body and can increase relaxation.

Step 10 Consult a professional:

If your child continues to feel stressed or anxious, consult a professional

If you suspect your child is in danger of self-harm contact: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- 800-273-8255 New Jersey Suicide Prevention Hopeline- 855-654-6735
****Hotlines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week***

Teaneck Public Schools School Counseling Department

District Wide

Adrienne Williams, Student Assistance Coordinator awilliams@teaneckschools.org

Hawthorne Elementary School

Colette Brantley, cbrantley@teaneckschools.org

Lowell Elementary School

Lisa Guyden, lguyden@teaneckschools.org

Theodora Smiley Lacey School

Jessica Brown, jbrown@teaneckschools.org

Whittier Elementary School

Dannette Coston, dcoston@teaneckschools.org

Benjamin Franklin Middle School Eve Klein, eklein@teaneckschools.org
Michael Smith, msmith@teaneckschools.org

Thomas Jefferson Middle School

Robert Davis, rodavis@teaneckschools.org Meredith Martino, mmartino@teaneckschools.org

Teaneck High School

Douglas Book, dbook@teaneckschools.org Kharisma Bettis, kbettis@teaneckschools.org Beth Fleischer, bfleischer@teaneckschools.org Lillian Garcia, lgarcia@teaneckschools.org Kelvin Reese, kreese@teaneckschools.org
Jennifer Taylor, jtaylor@teaneckschools.org

The FORUM

The FORUM is a grant funded program that offers the following services free of charge to Teaneck residents aged 13-19

• Individual, Group, Crisis & Family Counseling • Employment Assistance
• Recreation

• Academic Support • Referrals
• Presentations & Workshops

The FORUM Staff

Coordinator

Nicholas Campestre, LCSW - ncampestre@teaneckschools.org

Student Support Counselors

Victoria Alexander, LSW – valexander@teaneckschools.org Giannil Hidalgo, LSW – ghidalgo@teaneckschools.org Jason Juxon-Smith, LAC, jjuxonsmith@teaneckschools.org

Employment Counselor

Yvonne Witter – ywitter@teaneckschools.org

Receptionist/Youth Development

Owen Barnes– obarnes@teaneckschools.org

Family Support and	District Website: www.teaneckschools.org Resources are listed
under the For Families drop-down menu on the Teaneck District website.

The link on the right side of the page under For Families lists the different services available.

Under Family Support & Resources, click on the link for Counseling Services for more information…

Once you click on the link labeled Counseling Services it will bring you to this page.

Resources are listed under the School Counseling Department page on the Teaneck District website.

Additional resources provide through the NJ Department of Education:

https://www.nj.gov/education/safety/wellness/mh/index.shtml

Additional resources provided through the NJ Department of Education:

https://www.nj.gov/education/safety/wellness/mh/index.shtml

NJ Department of Education Website: Parent’s Section and Student’s Section…

https://www.nj.gov/education/safety/wellness/mh/index.shtml

What questions do you have?

	
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