Constantly feeling anxious in busy areas , school becoming a problem I can’t go to canteen by myself I have to meet friends first , a constant anxious feeling over me .
– Layla104xx
Hi Layla104xx,
Feeling constantly anxious is exhausting. The physical sensations and spiraling thoughts, that often accompany anxiety, can be so strong that we avoid everyday things like school, or social events.
Whether we are feeling run down, experiencing low mood, or are in crisis we all need to reach out for support sometimes. You are not alone.
Recent research conducted by Orgyen and the World Economic Forum highlighted that 87% of the global population is affected by mental health difficulties. This can either be through individuals’ own experience or that of someone close to them.
Im currently really struggling with finding motivation and interest in college. I enjoy the course but for some reason i just cant motivate myself enough to hold down and do the work. Its not just in college though and its impacting other parts of my life as well including work and general interaction. Is there any techniques that could help me to focus or that would help me with motivation?
-sk
Hi sk,
Motivation rises and falls at different times throughout our lives. Understanding our own experience of it can help us to manage it better.
The transition to secondary school is a big milestone in a young person’s life. Although exciting, it can also throw up challenges.
Young people have been in and out of school due to lockdowns. Experiences of school closures are varied, some young people have been relieved and others have really missed school.
Uncertainty about the future can influence a young person’s move to secondary school. Fortunately, as a parent, there is a lot you can do to support their mental health during this process.
What do I do when no one at school likes me and when I feel lonely at school and have no one to go to and don’t want to go to a counsellor or a teacher because you feel they aren’t helpful.
RedLight2
Hi RedLight2,
I am sorry that you are feeling so lonely and you haven’t found that anyone has been helpful. School can be really tough at times. It can seem that some people make friends easily and find their ‘tribe’ straight away. However, for some of us, fitting in is more challenging and school can amplify our sense of loneliness.
School connection is the extent to which a young person feels like they belong at school and feels cared for by that community.
It’s built through relationships, and also perceptions about those relationships within the whole-school community.
As we know, the role of a teacher is more than about giving information on their subject. Teaching involves creating a connection with and between students. It is often the intangible bits of teaching that mean the most to both students and teachers.
Now, more than ever, teachers are feeling the need to help students ground themselves in a world that can feel unstable and insecure.
Few teachers could have anticipated that they would have to work from home. This worldwide pandemic has made us change the way we live, interact and work.
For obvious reasons, teaching young people does not easily transition to the ‘working from home’ model. It’s impossible to recreate the conditions of the classroom online. Naturally, teaching is most effective when we can pick up an atmosphere, or notice the body language of a disinterested student.
While we expect young people to be comfortable with technology, online learning is new for many. We also cannot assume that students have the physical space and tech available for online learning all day long.
Recognise the limitations of online teaching and know that it’s not on you.
We recently ran two webinar for teachers, who have taken our online courses. The focus was how post-primary and primary school teachers can support their own mental health.
I’m moving away to go to college in September, I know and have my course already.
It will be my first time living away from home and I have a been offered a space in a house with a cousin and some friends of theirs who are already in college.
The thing is I don’t really know my cousin that well. We’re not going to be in the same college. This has been organised by our parents and I don’t know the other people. I haven’t even seen the house yet but I’m getting really anxious about living with some strangers but also someone I am meant to know but don’t really and haven’t since we were young.
Hi there,
It sounds like you have lots of change ahead of you, which can be exciting, but also overwhelming. At Jigsaw, we know that it would not be unusual for people who are preparing for college to talk about some of the worries that you have mentioned.
Will the coronavirus (COVID-19) affect schools in the east of Ireland near Dublin. I’m fearful that somebody my school can be infected.
I think I’m infected but I don’t know what to do.
Hi there,
There has been a lot of information in the news and on social media about coronavirus. Some of this is true and helpful. However, some of it is exaggerated or just false. Given the amount of coverage, it is understandable that you might feel worried or fearful about coronavirus and its effect on you or those around you.
