The idea that we need to address anxiety in our students really hit a nerve in the Mercer Island community. On February 6, the high school's Performing Arts Center was “standing room only,” according to one parent—or at least 350 people, according to the stage manager—for the screening of Angst, opens a new window – Breaking the Stigma Around Anxiety. Produced by Indieflix, the documentary features interviews with kids, teens, experts, and parents. Youth and young adults give intimate, honest, and accessible perspectives on suffering from and managing anxiety. A resource fair prior to the film offered a chance for parents and students to mingle and speak with professional counselors (including Youth & Family Services counselors) and school-district folks. Lots of information was shared! Books were also available for check-out (KCLS) and for purchase (Island Books).
After the film, Alison Cary, a Mercer Island High School senior, moderated a Q&A. Panelists included two parents and three professional counselors. The experts offered many tools and resources and the parents openly shared experiences about themselves and their daughter, one of the teens featured in the film.
One week later, parents had a second chance to talk with school-based Youth & Family Services counselors during a gathering at the library called “Anxiety and Our Kids – Join the Discussion.” The turnout was good and again, attendees said the discussion was informative and valuable. One parent expressed a desire to take a closer look at the causes of anxiety in our community so that we can begin to more effectively prevent and manage it. For example, parents expressed concern about the stresses of the college-application process and the need to educate teens about other options and pathways besides the four-year college track.
The two events were a successful collaboration between the Mercer Island Library, the Friends of the Mercer Island Library, Mercer Island Parent Edge (a part of the MI PTA Council), and Mercer Island Youth & Family Services. These events have started a conversation about anxiety that we anticipate will continue around the community in the coming months.
