Naperville, IL: Students experience "anxiety epidemic"; community groups aim to help

Feb 1, 2018, Chicago Tribune: Community groups vow to help resolve anxiety epidemic in wake of Naperville student stress survey http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-naperville-survey-what-next-st-0202-20180201-story.html Now that they know what is causing kids to be stressed, local organizations are vowing to find ways to solve the anxiety epidemic afflicting Naperville school students.…. Survey results showed that seven of 10 seventh-graders and nearly eight in 10 high school sophomores say they experience moderate or high levels of daily stress. About half of both groups say the stress makes it difficult to perform daily tasks because they're overwhelmed by anxiety and they lack focus and the ability to concentrate. The source of the stress for most students, the survey found, was school, competition and peers. Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico encouraged those in attendance at the Naperville Municipal Center meeting to listen to the information and work with other groups to find a solution. "There is no single answer," Chirico said. "It's not easy; it is going to take a village." … In the meantime, KidsMatter and its partner groups have a variety of resources already up and running....