SEMINAR ADDRESSING TEEN ANXIETY DRAWS MORE THAN 100

MONTVALE -- More than 100 people filled Pascack Hills High School on Wednesday night to attend "Teen Anxiety on the Rise," an event organizers said they hoped would educate parents and students on what they called the epidemic of stress and anxiety disorders gripping millions of students across the country.

Setting up shop in the high school's cafeteria were more than 40 treatment providers, resource organizations, support groups and law enforcement officers, who handed out information and spoke with parents and health professionals about what they can do to help teenagers manage the growing stress they encounter in their everyday lives.

The event -- which was hosted by the Hills Valley Coalition, an organization made up of members of the community, schools, town government and law enforcement -- ended with speeches by doctors and those who have managed their anxiety.

The issue of young people grappling with anxiety is not uncommon. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 5.9 percent of teenagers in the United States suffer from a severe disorder, while the Anxiety and Depression Association of America says 1 in 8 children are affected by an anxiety disorder.

Pam Martorana, a co-organizer of Wednesday's event and a licensed professional counselor at Kinderkamack Counseling, said she had seen firsthand the rising number of teenagers expressing anxiety-driven mental health issues.

"More and more kids are exhibiting the signs of anxiety, and they are being more vocal about it," Martorana said before the event. "We want to increase awareness for parents, professionals and peers and want to educate parents on the resources that are available in their community."

Gale Mangold, a co-organizer of the event and student assistance counselor at Pascask Hills, said the event was also a way of promoting the community as a "stigma-free environment," a growing distinction among Bergen County municipalities.

Many of those who attended the event were parents hoping to educate themselves on the anxiety students are facing.

Renee and Eric Buzzelli of Upper Saddle River said their 15-year-old suffered from anxiety related to school and friends. They both went from booth to booth at the event to learn more about ways they can help.

"I think things like this are important," Renee Buzzelli said. "Many times parents don't know that their child might be anxious."

Rebecca Wansing of Park Ridge said that her daughter was experiencing anxiousness and that she wanted to know "what to look for" to help her.

"I want to see what I can do with prevention going forward," Wansing said. "There are a lot of resources right here in Bergen County that many people are not aware of. This is great. It helps people know there are people out there who can help and show them they are not alone."

Some parents declined to comment, fearing an increase in anxiety in their children, but said they were at the event to learn more about the causes, symptoms and ways to help children with anxiety disorders.

The program's keynote speaker was Dr. Paul Foxman, the founder of the Center for Anxiety Disorders, an outpatient practice and therapist training center in Burlington, Vt. Foxman went over the basics of anxiety disorders and tried to help parents understand ways to help their children.

Superintendent Erik Gundersen said Wednesday's event tied in with a districtwide wellness initiative, which is intended to help the emotional distress and other stress factors in students' academic lives.

Gundersen said the Board of Education recently agreed to hire two "student family liaisons" -- one for Pascack Valley High School and one for Pascack Hills High School -- whose primary job will be to help students and their families get access to mental health support both inside and outside the district.

"This will allow us to get students help before some of the anxieties and mental health issues can become a problem," Gundersen said.

In addition, Gundersen said he was working with district officials to have guidance counselors and student assistance counselors available when school is not in session during the summer to help students with anxiety about course work, starting the college application process, summer assignments or other stressful issues they may be grappling with.