Lunch & Learn: Working with School Avoidance, Chronic Absenteeism, and Anxiety

Student anxiety can significantly affect academic performance, attendance, social development, and overall well-being. This workshop provides educators, school mental health professionals, administrators, and families with a deeper understanding of acute anxiety disorders and their impact on student success.

Participants will explore the signs and symptoms of anxiety, including panic attacks, and examine how unhealthy coping mechanisms such as school avoidance can develop and persist. The session also addresses the critical role families play in either reinforcing or reducing these behaviors, offering strategies for building productive partnerships that support positive outcomes for students.

Through practical guidance and evidence-informed approaches, attendees will learn techniques for responding to anxiety in school settings, managing panic episodes, and creating inclusive environments where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to engage in learning. The workshop emphasizes actionable tools that can be implemented immediately to improve attendance, strengthen resilience, and foster academic success.