As I reflect on the progress being made, or not made in this area, I’m grateful to remember this quote from Desmond Tutu –
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”
Facts & Data Points from the 2017 REPORT CARD: Anxiety
From Children’s Mental Health Ontario webpage (https://www.cmho.org/):
- 60% of Ontario youth report having concerns about their level of anxiety and only 3 in 10 of those spoke to a mental health care professional about it.
- 50% of Ontario parents of school age children report concerns about their child’s level of anxiety.
- 75% of Ontario teachers agree that anxiety disorders in the classroom are a PRESSING concern.
- 1 in 5 children and youth in Ontario will experience some form of mental health problem …
and 5 out of 6 of those will not receive the attention they need.
These are Ontario data points – are things significantly different elsewhere?
All levels of the educational system are throwing increased resources at mental health issues but, based on results, children and youth are not responding. That’s because the resources are being thrown at the symptoms rather than at the root of the distress. And the system believes that the solution is to have greater access to the same kind of mental health resources we currently have. Really?
The poet Rumi says,
“There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.”
We’re not listening to the ‘voices of children that don’t use words’. Despite good intentions, our systems are using an outdated paradigm that is based on words alone. Using the Ontario Ministry of Education as an example, there is solid acknowledgement of the problem – BUT – the only practical solutions approved are based on cognitive-behavioural interventions. Words. Some forward-thinking administrators may be supporting mindfulness interventions, but mindfulness is based in the mind and comes with significant dangers for children when taught by people with no background in how childhood distress presents during mindfulness.
Children and young people come with bodies, human bodies which have built in adaptive survival mechanisms that unconsciously go into effect when they feel threatened. Mental health issues, including anxiety, stem from bodies that are not feeling psychologically, emotionally, physiologically safe. From nervous systems that are chronically dysregulated and don’t have simple, easy tools to effectively re-regulate.
We cannot “TALK” children and young people into nervous system re-regulation. Anxiety is a body-based issue and the solution must be a body-based intervention. First, we must address the state of the body – then we can bring in “talking” … if it’s still required.
“The mind narrates what the nervous system already knows. Story follows state.”
Deb Dana, The Polyvagal Theory
EFT is a body-based modality, that’s its uniqueness. Tapping on acupressure points on the body sends electro mechanical signals to the brain that signal it’s okay to calm down, to shut off the fight/flight/freeze response. These tapping signals travel much faster than the neuron to neuron communication of talking. That’s why EFT works so quickly to bring a body into psychological, physiological, emotional safety.
EFT is backed by solid research evidence about its effectiveness. In head to head research with cognitive behavioural techniques, it is equally if not more effective, is faster and results are sustained better over time. There is specific research evidence of its effectiveness for child/youth anxiety in school settings. It is incredibly cost effective to learn and use and is right there at their fingertips when children or teachers need help to feel and think better.
Neftti continues to have a strong focus on bringing EFT in safe and effective ways into all levels of educational systems; elementary, secondary, college and university. We have accredited, certified practitioners many of whom are current or retired teachers, administrators or counsellors. Neftti certified presenters are very willing to offer presentations and workshops at individual schools, board wide professional development days and system wide conferences.
There is light in the midst of darkness.
Would you support us in continuing to turn on the light for our children and young people? If you are a champion of children’s empowerment; if you know educators who can stand at the forefront of change; if you know organizations that are working to give young people the message that they are valuable and worthy of having tools that deal with the reality of their experience, would you please forward them this article? I would love to chat with them about how integrating EFT into their programs will help them accomplish their BIG WHY.
Thank you.
Tappily yours,
Nancy
Connect with me at support@neftti.com