The Anxiety Project (TAP)
At our school, we teach The Anxiety Project, a specially designed program that helps students understand their brains and emotions, and equips them with practical strategies to manage anxiety. The program includes seven lessons that guide students through learning about how anxiety works, why they might feel worried or scared, and what they can do to feel calmer. Students learn to recognise anxious thoughts and physical sensations, and are taught ways to ‘return to calm’ using simple techniques. The lessons encourage children to ‘Have a Go’ by facing challenges with confidence and to make thoughtful plans for the future. Each lesson has clear learning goals and success steps, helping students build skills gradually and with purpose. By giving children this knowledge and these tools, The Anxiety Project helps them become more resilient and better able to cope with everyday worries.
The Anxiety Project was created by the NSW Primary Principals’ Association in collaboration with psychologist Michael Hawton from Parentshop, in response to rising anxiety levels among children in Australian schools. The program supports not only students, but also school leaders, teachers, staff, and parents, building everyone’s capacity to reduce anxiety in the school community. One important focus of the program is to challenge ‘unhelpful accommodations’ — well-meaning actions by adults that can unintentionally make student anxiety worse by encouraging avoidance rather than coping. The Anxiety Project is unique in Australia for addressing this issue specifically in primary-aged children. Teachers and staff gain confidence in recognising signs of anxiety and responding effectively, which has also led to improved wellbeing for school staff. Research shows that tackling anxiety early supports better mental health outcomes for students, and we are committed to using this evidence-based program to help our children thrive.
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