What is Anxiety?
What emotion is anxiety most closely connected to?
A) Excitement
B) Fear
C) Happiness
D) Anger
B) Fear
Myth or Fact: Anxiety is a sign of weakness
Myth
Name one healthy coping skill for anxiety
Examples: deep breathing, exercise, music, journaling, talking to someone, mindfulness
Before a big test, feeling nervous is:
A) Common
B) Weird
A) Common
If a friend is feeling anxious, what is one supportive thing you could say?
Examples: "I'm here for you," "Do you want to talk?" "You're not alone."
True or False: Feeling anxious is a normal part of being human
True
Myth or Fact: Everyone experiences anxiety differently
Fact
Everyone take one deep breath together. What happens to your body when you breathe slowly?
Examples: heart rate slows down, muscles relax, mind feels calmer
What is one situation that commonly causes anxiety for young people?
Examples: school, social situations, sports, jobs, relationships, public speaking
Who is a trusted adult someone could talk to about anxiety?
Examples: parent, caregiver, teacher, counsellor, coach, elder, mentor, supervisor
Name one physical symptom someone might experience when feeling anxious
Myth or Fact: Just telling someone to "calm down" usually fixes anxiety
Myth
Which coping skill can help bring your attention back to the present moment?
A) Mindfulness
B) Ignoring Feelings
C) Avoiding everyone
A) Mindfulness
Poll the group: raise your hand if you've ever felt nervous before meeting new people
Q: Why do you think so many people feel this way?
It is a common human experience
Which response is more helpful?
A) "Just get over it"
B) "That sounds really hard"
B) "That sounds really hard"
Anxiety can affect:
A) Thoughts
B) Feelings
C) Body
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
Myth or Fact: People can look completely fine and still struggle with anxiety
Fact
You have a presentation tomorrow and feel anxious. Name two healthy ways to prepare or manage your stress
Examples: practice, positive self-talk, breathing exercises, asking for support, getting enough sleep
What is the different between helpful anxiety and overwhelming anxiety?
Helpful anxiety motivates action; overwhelming anxiety interferes with daily life or functioning
Examples: listen, encourage them to talk to a trusted adult, offer support, help them find resources
Discussion: Imagine your friend says, "I have anxiety all the time." Why might it be important not to dismiss their experience, even if what they're anxious about seems small to you?
One example: anxiety feels real to the person experiencing it and can impact daily life differently for everyone
Discussion: Why do you think some people hide their anxiety from friends, family, teachers, co-workers?
Example: fear of judgment, embarrassment, stigma, not knowing how to explain it, wanting to appear "strong"
Scenario: Your anxiety is making you want to skip something important. What could be a small step forward instead of avoiding it completely?
Examples: attend for 10 minutes, bring a friend, ask for support, break the task into smaller steps
Discussion: Social media can sometimes increase anxiety. What are two reasons why?
Examples: comparison, fear of missing out, cyberbullying, pressure to be perfect, constant notifications
Discussion: If your community could do one thing better to support young people with anxiety, what would it be and why?
Answers vary