15-Minute Focus: Anxiety Workbook: Tips and Strategies to Manage Anxiety, Build Resilience, and Foster Emotional Well-Being

Are you overwhelmed by the growing number of students struggling with anxiety?

You’re not alone. Anxiety rates are skyrocketing, impacting student well-being, academic performance, and their overall school experience. As an educator, you are at the forefront of supporting students through these challenges, but understanding the complex factors driving this phenomenon is crucial for effective intervention.

In this workbook you’ll discover knowledge and tools to:

• Demystify anxiety: Delve into the various types of anxiety disorders prevalent in schools, exploring their symptoms, causes, and impact on individuals and the school environment.
• Navigate the ＂why＂ Uncover the potent mix of societal pressures, academic demands, social media influence, and other factors fueling the rise of anxiety in teenagers.
• Become an effective advocate: Learn how to identify students struggling with anxiety, assess their needs, and develop a comprehensive support system within the school setting.
• Empower students with coping skills: Discover a range of practical strategies and evidence-based interventions to provide students with the tools to manage anxiety, build resilience, and thrive both academically and socially.

15-Minute Focus: Anxiety Workbook goes beyond just describing the problem; it provides a roadmap for creating solutions. Filled with real-world examples, practical resources, and interactive exercises, you will learn to:

• Develop age-appropriate interventions: Tailored strategies for elementary, middle, and high school students address their unique developmental needs.
• Promote mental health awareness: Foster a school culture that encourages open communication and destigmatizes seeking help.
• Advocate for systemic change: Equip yourself with the knowledge to advocate for policies and practices that prioritize student mental health within the school system.
• Collaborate for success: Understand your role in building a support network that involves parents, teachers, administrators, and mental health professionals, fostering positive school climates that prioritize student well-being.

Written by a seasoned school counselor and mental health professional, Dr. Leigh Bagwell has crafted this essential guide, offering invaluable insights and practical tools to help you navigate the storm of teen anxiety and ensure a brighter future for your students.

Dr. Leigh Bagwell is a member of the School Counseling Core Faculty in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Capella University. Bagwell joined Capella in the spring of 2022 shortly after completing her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Tennessee. She began her career as an elementary and middle school counselor before moving to leadership and supervisory roles in school counseling for preK-12 education in both urban and suburban school districts then ultimately serving as the Director of School Counseling Services for the Tennessee Department of Education. As a school counseling educator and leader, her mission is to provide school counselors and administrators with the training and resources needed to deliver high quality, student driven, data informed comprehensive school counseling programs to all students. She believes when school counselors and school leaders work together to all students have access to the opportunities and supports they need to successfully move through their elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education into their chosen career.

In addition to her work in Tennessee, Bagwell partners with school counselors and school counseling leaders throughout the country using her experiences and knowledge to build their capacity to more effectively serve students. She has authored multiple books in the 15-Minute Focus Series - Anxiety: Worry, Stress, and Fear and an accompanying workbook, along with Self-Harm and Self-Injury: When Emotional Pain Becomes Physical, and has served as a consultant on several SEL children’s books. She has conducted research on mental health supports for students and families and is a consultant with an international organization developing tools and materials that help school counselors deliver effective school counseling programs to all students. Dr. Bagwell’s hope is to equip and empower school counselors to use their unique knowledge and skills to advocate and support all students to reach their potential and achieve their dreams.