Over 50 parents attended the the childhood anxiety discussion with Barbara Truluck. Ms. Truluck is a Professional Counselor at Palmer Middle School specializing in childhood stress and anxiety. She discussed signs of stress, the different types of anxiety children can face, and how to differentiate between levels. She shared many helpful coping strategies which are the first place to start when you feel your child's anxiety is starting to increase.

For those that weren't able to attend, here is a list of resources that Ms. Truluck mentioned:

https://youth.anxietycanada.com/anxiety101
www.adaa.com
www.commonsensemedia.org
https://childmind.org
www.nami.org
www.stressmgt.net
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
books by author Julia Cook

The PTA was very excited to work with our own wonderful counselors, Elizabeth Hatcher and Kristin Hartzheim, to bring this discussion and the two internet safety discussions to our school. If you feel that your child is dealing with an excess of stress and anxiety, our counselors are an excellent place to start figuring out how to help as is talking to your child's pediatrician.