Category Archives: Social Worker Space

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Managing Teen Anxiety Workshop on January 27th @ 7:00PM

Juggling the demands and pressures of school, social relationships and plans for the future can leave teens worried and stressed. This workshop will give parents strategies to help their teens manage anxiety and stress, cope with disappointment, gain resilience and maximize their strengths. The speaker is the Executive Director of Clinical and Assessment Services for WISE Mind Solutions, L.L.C.  Presented by: Amy Fortney Parks, M. Psych.
When: Wednesday, January 27th at 7:00 PM
Where: T.C. Williams Minnie Howard Campus Media Center
NOTE:
Registration closes on January 20. Be sure to register prior to this date.

http://www.acps.k12.va.us/events/  for more info on this and other events:

http://www.acps.k12.va.us/curriculum/special-education/workshops.pdf 

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Schools are now teaching kids and their parents how to deal with stress

Ever wonder how mindfulness can help you deal with stress? If so, then check out this great article about how mindfulness is helping students.

What is Mindfulness?mindfuleness

It is a practice aimed at enhancing self-awareness and reducing stress by focusing, without judgment, on the present moment. It is to provide a sort of mental reset button, freeing yourself from a crush of distraction, swell of anger or parade of fears and regrets that can dominate thoughts and derail behavior. Exercises such as counting breaths or focusing on one of the five senses become anchors to turn to and return to when your thoughts wander.

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Do you ever wonder why people worry?

If you’re often worried sick before school, you might have anxiety.

If so, read this great article about what anxiety is and how to get help if you think that you suffer from it. The article was written by Howard J. Bennett,who is a practicing pediatrician in the Washington DC area.

anxiety_squareHere are some signs from the article that you may have an anxiety problem.

• You avoid situations because you’re afraid something bad will happen.

• You worry so much that you don’t enjoy what you’re doing.

• You have lots of stomachaches, especially before school.

If you think you have anxiety, talk to your parents about it. You can also talk to your counselor, your social worker, the school psychologist, or the school nurse.

The most important thing is this: Don’t beat yourself up! Being anxious is not something you can simply turn off.

 

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Mental Health Awareness Week October Events

Aimed at raising awareness about mental health, a series of free presentations entitled, “There is No Health without Mental Health,” will be offered in Alexandria from Oct. 5 –­­ Oct. 26 addressing mental health issues.

The series, sponsored by the City of Alexandria’s Department of Community and Human Services, Alexandria Library, Friends of the Alexandria Mental Health Center, and Alexandria’s Mental Health Hope Campaign, and presented in honor of Alexandria’s Mental Health Awareness Week, teaches attendees about mental health first aid, caregiving, how to access care, becoming resilient and much more.

Upcoming event dates, times and locations:

* Mental Health First Aid Training : Oct. 5 and 7, 4–8 p.m., Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St.
* Finding Mental Health Coverage : Oct. 6, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. & Oct. 20, 2:30 – 4 p.m., Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St.
* Healthy Caregivers, Healthy Care : Oct. 7, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St.
* “Soldiers of Conscience” Documentary : Oct. 8, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Beatley Library, 5005 Duke Street
* What is Art Therapy?: Oct. 14, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Beatley Library, 5005 Duke Street
* Helping Parents Develop Resilience : Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m., Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Blvd.

For more information, call 703.746.1751 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/DCHS or www.alexandria.lib.va.us .

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, email Maurice Tomdio at maurice.tomdio@alexandriava.gov or call 571.384.5244.