The first of its kind, a school district-wide collaboration will focus on anxiety and its effects on kids and parents.
John Read Middle School Parent Teacher Association (JRMS PTA), in partnership with Redding Elementary School PTA, Easton PTO, Easton’s Here to Help and Redding Prevention Council will present an evening program for parents of pre-teens, titled “Anxious Parent, Anxious Child,” on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Joel Barlow High School. Admission is free, but RSVP is required through the program website.
Led by local mental health experts Niro Feliciano, LCSW, and Melanie Pearl, Ph.D., the program will focus on the root causes of worry in today’s youth as well as the impact a parent’s anxiety may have on their kids. Feliciano is a frequent contributor to NBC’s Today Show and author of “This Book Won’t Make You Happy.” Pearl is a child and family psychologist. Both live in and have counseling practices in Ridgefield.
“We are seeing unprecedented numbers of kids in our area struggling with anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation,” ,” said Feliciano. “It’s becoming far too common, and it’s important parents understand why and how to support their kids through it.”
The evening’s conversation will offer ways to stop the cycle of anxiety both for parents and for kids and how to identify when to seek help. In addition, the experts will include strategies to help facilitate more adaptive coping and resilience. The evening will conclude with a Q&A session.
“We’re grateful to have so many community organizations partner with us on this very important topic in our district,” said Beatrix Eriksen, president of the John Read Middle School PTA. “It’s an important conversation to have since anxiety disorders are common to adolescents and can greatly impact a student’s academic performance and overall mental health.”
