9:00 - Depression and Anxiety in Students: Strategies for School Counselors
Anxiety and depression are being increasingly recognized as influencing the quality of student learning and learning outcomes. Contributors to anxiety and depression among school age children are multidimensional and can include: family dynamics, academic pressures, peer struggles, abuse, and stress around high-stakes testing. This presentation will help attendees better identify the signs of anxiety and depression among students, understand how anxiety and depression interfere with student wellbeing, and how to best intervene to promote the welfare of the student. The presentation will also include relaxation activities that can be taught to students to help them reduce anxiety and depression during times of stress (and may benefit the attendees as well!).
12:30 - Taking a Stand Against Bullying
Bullying is a serious problem in most schools, at most grade levels. Counselors play an important role in bullying prevention and intervention on their campuses. This session will present ways to help promote empathy and understanding, and prevent disrespect and bullying among students and parents. Interactive discussion will allow participants to learn and apply the practical educational strategies shared. TEKS-required topics will be presented including: impact on victim and bullies, being assertive without being aggressive, seriousness of forms of bullying, and ways to show disapproval of bullying. Young elementary students can become "Super Friends with Super Powers," and older students become "Empowered to Defend" - as they move from being bystanders to being defenders. Practical ways to help students "write a better story" will be shared. Parent involvement strategies will be explored, as well as campus-based initiatives for bullying prevention.