A Free Resource Guide for Coping with Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety is a very common emotion that many people experience. It is accompanied by symptoms that include increased heart rate, sweating, dry mouth and shallow breathing, and if not addresses, it can lead to depression. When faced with a difficult situation, whether it is school work and grades or peer pressure and expectations, anxiety and depression should not be ignored. Coping with anxiety and depression can be done with simple methods, such as talking to an unbiased party or using your creative talents to work through difficult feelings. The following will provide more information about anxiety and depression in a wide range of age groups.

Elementary and Junior High Students

Students in elementary and junior high school tend to experience anxiety as the most common form of psychological distress. Whether it is regarding classwork or peers, students in this age group, particularly girls, are no strangers to anxiety. When discussing depression, it is often the result of not being accepted by other classmates and academic shortcomings, or struggling with the expectations or teachers and parents. It is vital to take part in an early intervention and prevention program for anxiety and depression to help children recognize and cope with their anxiety. These types of programs are designed to increase a student’s emotional resilience, while promoting positive coping skills, such as physical activity and focusing attention on their creativity. Many younger children struggling with anxiety and depression find that drawing can help them cope with complicated emotions.

Dimension of Math Anxiety: Description of math anxiety in students who are between the ages of nine and 11.
Test Anxiety: Discussion of text anxiety and how to cope with it.
Overcoming Math Anxiety: This article simply discusses math anxiety in middle school students.
Back-to-School Anxiety: This article describes helpful information on beating back-to-school anxiety.
Reducing Test Anxiety: PDF document that discusses reducing test anxiety in third grade students.
Math Anxiety: PDF article that discusses math anxiety in elementary and secondary school students.
Depression: List of articles on depression and the symptoms parents and teachers should watch for.

High School Students

The transition from junior high school to high school is typically thought of as a very difficult transition, both academically and socially; heightened academic expectations and increased peer pressure to fit in are big factors for students struggling with anxiety or depression. It is often less stressful for students who are familiar with their community, but still, these students are exposed to a world with older students and new experiences. Academic stressors add to student’s anxiety because they feel added pressure to excel academically and get into a good college or higher education program; this creates stress and anxiety which can eventually lead to depression. In order for high school students to cope with depression and anxiety, they need an outlet; someone they can talk to is a counselor, a close friend or a family member about any problems they may be experiencing in school and someone who can help them work through big decisions and offer constructive advice and guidance.

When a student is faced with peer pressure, they may feel the anxiety that comes along with the need to be accepted, but not being sure what they should do or how they should act. For example, if a student turns down the offer of a cigarette or a cold beer, they may not be accepted by the peers in that particular setting. There are a lot of tough decisions that go along with being a teenager. Students can also become depressed because of bullying; whether it is because of the way they look, the color of their skin, or their sexual preference, bullying is hurtful and harmful to any student’s psyche. In order for students to cope with anxiety and depression it is vital that they have a healthy creative or verbal outlet, or a combination of the two. Parents and teachers been to also be aware of unusual or fatalist behaviors and report them to the proper administration for the safety of their students.

High (School) Anxiety: This article discusses the various aspects of high school anxiety.
Coping with Math Anxiety: PDF document that discusses how to cope with math anxiety.
Adolescent Stress and Depression: Information about stress and depression and how to cope with it.
Early Onset Depression: PDF article that explains the relationship between early onset depression and high school dropouts.
Depression and High School Students: Question and answers on depression and high school students.
Teen Suicide Statistics: Detailed article that discusses the statistics in teen suicide.

College Students

The transition from high school to college student comes with a lot of added responsibilities. Students may feel anxious about moving away from home, meeting new people, and being solely responsible for themselves and their academic success. All of these changes can be very challenging and upsetting for students; it is important to understand that there are resources and outlets that can help students during their transition from high school to college. Academic advisors, campus health services, peer counselors, and resident assistants are all available to answer questions and offer advice to college students struggling with anxiety and depression.

Also in college, when it comes to drinking and partying, students who want to stay focused on their studies may feel the pressure of being a part of the “in crowd”. For those that do not feel comfortable in risky situations, most college campuses provide positive on-campus activities for students that want to meet and connect with new people. College is also a period of self-discovery; if students feel as though they do not fit in with any of their peers, they may suffer from anxiety brought on by social situations.

Depression and Suicide: Discussion of how depression and suicide are some of the major issues that face college students.
Dealing with Depression and Anxiety: This article focuses on Barnard College students who deal with depression and anxiety in New York City.
Depression and Anxiety Facts: Facts on depression and anxiety in college students.
Depression and Anxiety: Article that describes the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
College Stressors Triggering Depression: This article explains how stressors are found to trigger depression in college students.
Depression in College Students: Detailed article on recognizing depression in college students and how to deal with it.
Depression Among College Students: Article that discusses the study that shows how common depression is among college students.
Depression, Anxiety and Alcohol: Discussion of drug use among college students and how it relates to stress, anxiety and depression.

Additional Links

Anxiety and Depression Together: Comprehensive writing on the relationship between anxiety and depression.
Dealing with Depression: Self-help and coping tips for depression.
Depression and Exercise: This page simply discusses depression and how exercise has an effect on easing the symptoms.
Coping with Depression; Discussion of depression and how to cope with it.
The Pain-Anxiety-Depression Connection: This article discusses the connection between pain, anxiety and depression.
Anxiety and Depression: Explanation of what depression and anxiety actually are and how to identify them.
Methods of Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Helpful website dedicated to helping people cope with and reduce stress and anxiety.
Gannett: Depression and Anxiety: List of questions and answers on depression and anxiety.
Adolescent Coping with Depression: Information on a course that discusses how adolescents should cope with depression.
Treatment Works: This article discusses depression and anxiety as well as how one should obtain help for these circumstances.
Help for Stressful Economic Times: Tips on dealing with stress during difficult economic times.