Anxiety

What to do when you’re feeling anxious or stressed?

• Mindfulness Techniques (deep breathing, guided meditation)
  • Quick mindfulness exercise: Sit for a few minutes without doing anything at all (no listening to music, no texting, or no answering the phone if it rings).  Just try to notice your surroundings and yourself in this time or in this moment.
• Thought Stopping--Five Step Process
  • 1. Notice that you are having a thought that is causing anxiety.
  • 2. Choose a way to immediately and forcefully to STOP this thought (i.e. Say out loud “STOP” or picture a bright, red stop sign)
  • 3. Consciously exchange the anxious thought for a peaceful thought.
  • 4. Say your peaceful thought out loud or in your mind.
  • 5. Keep your mind focused on the peaceful thought. 
• Stay active and exercise, even if it is just going for a walk.
• Try to keep a regular sleep schedule.
• Spend time with family and friends.
• Listen to calming music to change mood.

What to do when on campus:

• Seek out a trusted adult and let them know how you are feeling.
  • Teacher, counselor, school psychologist, nurse, administrator, social worker, or coach.
• Go to the Health Office and tell the nurse you would like to speak to a counselor or psychologist.
• Go to the Main Office and tell the office staff you would like to speak to a counselor or psychologist.
• Text-A-Tip Line, if you want to provide anonymous information to the NHHS Administration: (415) 891-9309.
• Contact our School Resource Officer, Officer Dudash.
• If it is an emergency and you are in class, please go to the health office or main office to seek help.  In this situation, you do not need a pass from your teacher.

What to do when off campus:

• Seek out a trusted adult and let them know how you are feeling.
• Call or text a crisis hotline to speak with a mental health professional. 
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HELP to 741741
  • PRS Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 85511
  • National Suicide Hotline Phone Number: 1-800-273-8255 
  • If it is an emergency, please call 911.  The police department has mental health professionals that can respond to your call.