Anger is a secondary emotion. This means is typically felt after other emotions are initially felt because it is more comfortable for people to feel than sadness, embarrassment, guilt or whatever they first were feeling. Anger has a great purpose..it typically motivates us to make changes or gives us a bunch of energy to get things done, but more often than not if unmanaged anger has quite a few negative consequences. Below I have shared some videos about anger management and resources you can use at home to help your children that display a lot of anger. One of the most positive ways to teach anger management is to model aloud for them when you are feeling angry and what you do to control and manage your own anger.

Video Links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbpTohPUhMw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bKuoH8CkFc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I8gW7PXeOY&t=27s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVA2N6tX2cg&feature=emb_logo

Free Activities & Resources

http://www.imhlk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Anger-Management-Workbook.pdf

https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheets/anger/none

Depression in kids at the middle school level is a real thing. According to Mayo Clinic some emotional and behavioral symptoms include the following:

Emotional Symptoms--feelings of sadness, which can include crying spells for no apparent reason,

frustration or feelings of anger, even over small matters, feeling hopeless or empty, irritable or annoyed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, loss of interest in, or conflict with, family and friends, low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixation on past failures or exaggerated self-blame or self-criticism, extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, and the need for excessive reassurance, trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things, ongoing sense that life and the future are grim and bleak, frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide

Behavioral Symptoms-- tiredness and loss of energy,

insomnia or sleeping too much, changes in appetite — decreased appetite and weight loss, or increased cravings for food and weight gain, use of alcohol or drugs, agitation or restlessness — for example, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still, slowed thinking, speaking or body movements, frequent complaints of unexplained body aches and headaches, which may include frequent visits to the school nurse, social isolation, poor school performance or frequent absences from school, less attention to personal hygiene or appearance, angry outbursts, disruptive or risky behavior, or other acting-out behaviors, self-harm — for example, cutting, burning, or excessive piercing or tattooing, making a suicide plan or a suicide attempt

Video Links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqKXO8JW3SI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGaJ2Uc-ORg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ThUrVXz9j0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XFLTDQ4JMk

Free Activities & Resources

https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/ask-and-learn/screenings (depression screener)

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/coping-with-depression.htm

https://serenitymentalhealthcenters.com/31-coping-skills-for-depression/

Bullying is defined as actions that are unwanted, aggressive, and repeated (or have the potential to be repeated). Bullying happens when there’s a power imbalance. That power imbalance can be real or perceived. It can also be physical or social.

That is the definition of bullying on Everfi, which is a computer based learning program I use in my guidance classroom. I like this definition. I think it is important to always encourage our children to think of how they would feel in the other person's shoes. Sometimes as a parent, I get frustrated and want to tell my kids to "treat people how they are treating you" when what I always need to says is "treat people how you want to be treated" no matter the situation.

The middle school bulling and harassment form is available on the website and can be filled out any time your child feels they have been bullied or harassed for any reason. Some examples include racism and hate speech for any reason, online harassment and bullying that interferes with the student's ability to attend and participate in school, or physical aggression. If you need a physical copy of this document sent home to fill out please email or call me at the school and I can send it home with your student. Once a form is returned the incident is formally investigated by administration and/or the school counselor (me).

Videos

https://www.cyberwise.org/post/2019/04/30/21-videos-to-help-you-discuss-bullying-with-kids

https://pacerteensagainstbullying.org/advocacy-for-self/videos/

Free Activities & Resources

https://www.educationworld.com/a_special/bully.shtml

https://www.journalbuddies.com/teaching-activities/anti-bullying-activities/

More information to come.