Millions of children and adolescents experience stress in our modern world, with 15-20% of them going on to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Pressure from family or friends, busy schedules full of school and extracurricular activities, disturbing content on the news, upsetting messages from social media, television, movies, and emerging channels, and family stressors, such as divorce and traumatic experiences, all contribute to the stress and anxiety experienced by youth. A local church is trying to help children, teens, and their families overcome these challenges they face on a day-to-day basis.
Pilgrim Lutheran Church is a come-as-you-are house of worship that has served the Lexington community for more than 125 years. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, Pilgrim has attracted individuals and families from across the county to join in worship, fellowship, and service. Their network of volunteers meets others where they are, such as in the choir room, at the local food pantry, at the site of natural disasters and in the classroom, where they learn and grow together in areas such as leadership and prayer.
This fall, they are expanding their ministry efforts to help children and their families cope with anxiety through a multi-part series called Navigating the Pressure – Helping Kids Thrive in a Stressed-Out World. Guided by keynote speakers, panelists, and interactive discussions, participants will learn about the roots of stress and anxiety and how to use real-world tools to manage these common experiences to not only survive but to thrive. Special topics include performance-based pressure, digital overload, sports, school, screens, and social media.
Experts will offer insight and inspiration while facilitating eye-opening discussions for adults and nature-based experiences designed to help kids reconnect and reset. With the goal of offering hope and healing for all ages, Pilgrim has organized the event series to help participants learn to breathe easier and live better – together.
Not sure if you or your child would benefit from the series? Children and teens can show signs of stress that may not be obvious to parents and may be difficult for kids to identify or articulate. Look for signs such as mood swings, acting up, changes in sleep patterns or eating habits, and physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach pain. Other clues include regressive behaviors (e.g., bedwetting, thumb sucking), nightmares, telling lies, becoming more clingy than usual, bullying, overreactions, disrespect, and noticeable changes to academic performance.
Prioritizing proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, adequate exercise, screen-free time, and connecting through conversation and time together are all important ways that parents and family members can help children and teens cope with anxiety and stress. Additional resources, shared by President & CEO of Girl Scouts of SC Mountains to Midlands Melanie Huggins, include the following books: The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better; Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls; Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty; Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (and Adults Are Missing) and Unpacking Grind Culture in American Teens: Pressure, Burnout, and the Role of Social Media.
And whether your child is currently facing anxiety and stress or might encounter it in the future, the Navigating the Pressure series will give kids and parents the tools to tackle these common yet unique obstacles. The planning began when Pilgrim received a grant from its denomination, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, to conduct an impactful outreach project in Lexington.
A team was assembled and members were assigned to interview various community leaders to ask, “What needs and trends are you seeing in our community?” The surprising answer that emerged from the team’s outreach was centered on the tremendous pressure felt by high school students to perform at the highest levels in all parts of their lives. Parents were under pressure as well and experienced great anxiety trying to navigate parenting in a rapidly changing world.
“Once we decided to move ahead with a program to address this need in our community and shared what we were planning to do, we found almost everyone we talked to had a story to tell about their observations of teenage and childhood stress,” said Delores Steinhauser, member of the Pilgrim planning team. “The common themes that arose included sports, academics, social media, and parental pressure. We knew we were onto something that needed to be addressed in our community.”
“Pilgrim’s mission in this latest program is to help our children thrive in the world in which they live now and in the world they will inherit,” shared Pastor Mary Anderson.
Event Series
Sunday, September 21
Beyond the Scoreboard: Cultivating Growth, Connection, & Well-Being in Youth Sports
Pilgrim Lutheran Church | 4 pm | $20
Former Major League Baseball player Travis Snider will host this event for parents, coaches, and mentors, focusing on navigating the culture of youth sports. More information HERE.
Saturday, September 27
Chirp Quest: A Birding Adventure with “The Purple Martin Guy”
Saluda Shoals Park | 8:30 am | $10
Join local naturalist Zach Steinhauser for a bird watching tour for middle and high school students. Enjoy a chance to relax and reconnect with nature. More information HERE.
Saturday, October 11
The Space to Breathe: A Stargazing Experience
Camp Kinard | 7 pm and 9 pm | $10
Join local astronomy enthusiasts Dr. Brian Peterson, Martin Bowers, and John Hodge for a peaceful night under the stars at Camp Kindard. Designed for middle and high school students to relax, reflect, and explore the wonders of the universe. Transportation from Pilgrim Lutheran Church will be provided. More information HERE.
Sunday, November 9
Likes, Shares, and Self-Esteem: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Pilgrim Lutheran Church | 4 pm | $20
A presentation by Dr. Devorah Heitner, author and educator, on digital well-being, parenting, screentime, digital citizenship, and raising empathetic kids in a connected world. More information HERE.