Social Anxiety Disorder is a common form of anxiety that has become increasingly prevalent, specifically in younger people. This disorder affects a person’s quality of life in aspects such as the workplace, school, social situations, personal confidence, and overall health. The most common demographic for people with Social Anxiety Disorder has proven to be adolescents and children. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 1 in 3 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 are affected by Social Anxiety Disorder. 

Particularly in young teenagers, the stunting effects of having difficulty regulating yourself socially can continue into adulthood. Symptoms can include your mind going blank, having difficulty maintaining conversations in social situations, and feeling self-conscious about what those around you may think. As a result, presentational skills, the ability to work in groups with peers, involvement in school activities and extracurriculars, and studying abilities are among the few aspects of school life that can be affected. For these reasons, it is important for educational systems and institutions to provide assistance and resources to individuals with social anxiety.

The Ministry of Education for Ontario supports and funds the School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) organization. Any information on how educational institutions have put mental health resources in place can be found on their website. SMHO states that it is estimated that one in five children and youth face mental health challenges. Educators in the Ontario school system are now taught to provide mental health assistance and resources for students who may be struggling and to provide accommodation when needed. Better Health Canada puts forward that learning about anxiety, practicing mindfulness, relaxation techniques, exercise, exposure therapy and support groups have been proven by behavioural experts to be effective ways to manage anxiety disorders.

An article from CTV News covers one year when Ryerson University in Toronto introduced a “puppy program” to the campus during exam season. The school’s Centre for Student Development and Counselling partnered with regional programmes, including St. Johns Ambulance, an organization with which HTS has worked closely in the past, and Therapeutic Paws of Canada. These organizations offer animal therapy from certified therapy dogs. Being around and petting dogs has been proven to relieve stress, reduce cortisol levels, and lower blood pressure (nimh.gov). Exam season is stressful for students worldwide, and this is an amazing example of schools listening to their student population and taking action to reduce stress. Animals also offer a sense of companionship, and even by lying there and letting you pet them, they reciprocate a sense of care and love, all things that greatly benefit those with social anxiety who have more difficulty reaching out for that assistance. The article states that over 500 students visited to spend time with the puppies, proving this was helpful and much-needed. Other Canadian universities, including Western University and Dalhousie University, have also offered therapy dogs as a means of stress relief.

Social anxiety is a type of anxiety disorder rooted in fear; these strategies can help build self-esteem and confidence and overcome what may be holding someone back. As discussed on the SMHO website, teachers are educated on mental health issues so that they can offer support to students. Understanding what social anxiety is, its effects, and practical strategies to deal with it can make it much more manageable for a student who may feel alone in what they are experiencing. In addition, information on how to notice signs of anxiety in students for any concerned teachers is available on the website. Teachers can now recognize behaviours of difficulty participating in group discussions or projects, not speaking up in class or asking questions, or any extreme shyness around peers as signs of social anxiety. They can offer students the help they need.

Social anxiety can greatly affect a person's time at school, not only socially but academically as well. Teenagers are the largest demographic for social anxiety. This is why it is important that schools provide assistance and accommodation for students with social anxiety and students dealing with anxiety in general. Being educated on what anxiety involves and how specific accommodations can help it can make it much easier to deal with school and life with social anxiety. It is imperative that educational institutions continue to make strides with mental health assistance as we learn more about it each and every day.

Works Cited 

Department of Health & Human Services. “Managing and Treating Anxiety.” Better Health Channel, May 23, 2002. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/anxiety-treatment-options.

Ontario, School Mental Health. “Common Student Mental Health Concerns - School Mental Health Ontario.” Educators and student support staff - School Mental Health Ontario. Accessed Summer 2023. https://smho-smso.ca/educators-and-student-support-staff/common-student-mental-health-concerns/.

“Puppies Offer Fun Stress Relief to Ryerson Students at Exam Time.” Toronto, November 30, 2013. https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/puppies-offer-fun-stress-relief-to-ryerson-students-at-exam-time-1.1567700.

“Social Anxiety Disorder: More than Just Shyness.” National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed Summer 2023. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness#:~:text=Social%20anxiety%20disorder%20is%20an,social%20anxiety%20disorder%20is%20treatable.