Workshops to tackle anxiety among pupils

Rising anxiety among children since the pandemic has prompted Forthill Primary School to draft in external mental health workers.

The Broughty Ferry school arranged training for teachers in how to help youngsters deal with worries.

Parents are also to be advised on supporting their children at a special session later this month.

Both Forthill and neighbouring Barnhill Primary School have sought the help of mental health and wellbeing support service NEW Solutions.

Forthill head teacher Alison Macgregor told parents: “Since the pandemic, we have become aware of increasing levels of anxiety among our pupils. Some of this may be evident in school, but some we know is only apparent at home.”

Staff at the two Broughty Ferry schools were trained in dealing with anxiety during an in-service day on Thursday, and Mrs Macgregor invited Forthill parents and carers to a similar session in school on November 23.

She said: “We hope this will be a useful session for any parent or carer who would like to learn more about how to help children build resilience and deal with anxiety.”

Montrose-based NEW Solutions is a community interest company which promotes awareness of mental health and wellbeing in schools, community organisations and businesses, and already works with 11 schools in Angus.

Director Gail Penman said anxiety was being reported among more children than was previously the case.

But she said: “I don’t know if that’s because we are better at spotting things or responding to what people need.”

A cognitive behavioural therapist, she said her aim was to empower teachers and parents to give the support, rather than relying on a specialist.

“Anxiety is normal,” she said, “we need to not make it a condition”.

“It’s something that serves us well, it helps us perform. In the workshops we do, we try to get kids to realise that thoughts and feelings are connected. If they want that feeling to change, they change the thought.”

As well as training and workshops, NEW Solutions also provides therapeutic interventions for individuals and groups.

Events of the last few years have taken their toll on everybody. Few people have emerged completely unscathed from the coronavirus pandemic.

However necessary they may have been, tight restrictions – up to and including total lockdowns – have inevitably played havoc with the sense of routine that is so crucial to our fragile sense of “normality”.

Among those hardest hits were our young people.

Forced to learn remotely as learning institutions were shut down, they not only missed out on their education but also on the

“The legacy of the pandemic is likely to be long lasting

myriad social interactions that take place during the school day.

The legacy of the pandemic is likely to be long lasting – with anxiety one of the chief concerns.

One school in Broughty Ferry has now decided to draft in external mental health workers in a bid to tackle the growing problem.

Such a proactive approach is to be applauded.

If left to fester, mental health issues can very quickly spiral out of control.

Being aware of the warning signs, and acting fast to offer solutions, is a positive step.

SUPPORTIVE: Gail Penman shares expertise with teachers. Picture by Mhairi Edwards.