Volume XI, Number IV

Fear, one of our core emotions, is a basic part of being human. But in modern times, we often wonder if panic and anxiety are becoming more of a roadblock to thriving than an aid to surviving. In this issue, KidSpirit contributors explore the many ups and downs of being afraid. Enjoy their writing, poetry, and artwork, then get ready to examine the role of fear in your own life through these conversation starters.

1. In the Big Question department, editor Uday Schultz explores why his age group, Generation Z, seems to be struggling more with mental health issues than those in the past. In his article, “Is Anxiety a Way of Life for Our Generation?,” Uday concludes that exposure to social media and the internet during “developmental stages of life” has made anxiety more prevalent. Think of something in your life that causes you anxiety, whether it is grades, an argument with a friend or parent, or a worry about the world and politics. Write 3 ways you reduce your anxiety, and 3 things that worsen your anxiety. As everyone shares and trades advice, think about whether or not your parents and grandparents dealt with the same problem, and how they did so. Do you think your worries are unique to someone growing up right now?

2. In his Interfaith Connections article, “Learning to Reach Out,” Khawaja Mustafa Shah shares his struggle with depression, the stigma against mental health issues in Pakistan, and his difficulty being honest with himself and others. He explains the many reasons that young men in Pakistan feel they cannot ask for help, and what can be done to change attitudes. Do you think your community does enough to support those with mental health issues? Jot down a few notes about why your community is effective at addressing those needs, or how you think it can improve.

3. In “A Moment of Peace,” an Awesome Moments article by Pragya Natarajan, we witness someone overcome their fear of public speaking. By focusing on her natural surroundings, Pragya recites her poem to her classmates with confidence. Think about your strategy for public speaking, or advice you would give others. Share a specific time you used these techniques, or a specific time you think the techniques might have helped someone you know.

4. Jennifer Shannon, a licensed psychotherapist specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety, contributes this issue’s PerSpectives article. In “Feeling Shy? You Are Not Alone,” she shares her own experiences with social anxiety during her childhood, breaks down the deeper psychological reasons behind these feelings, and offers advice. The most common cause of social anxiety is an underlying feeling that we must be “perfect” in every conversation and interaction. Come up with a few different social situations that make you nervous or anxious. As everyone shares, work together to debunk each fear. For example, if someone worries about meeting a new person, you could talk about how there isn’t anything to lose and everything to gain; in the worst case, you had a conversation, and in the best case, you made a friend.