Slide 1 – Title Slide
Title: Understanding Anxiety
Subtitle: Mental Health Awareness Module
Your Name / Organisation
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Welcome learners. Explain this session will help them understand anxiety, how it affects people, and how to support others.
Slide 2 – What Will We Learn?
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What anxiety is
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Signs and symptoms
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Causes of anxiety
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Types of anxiety disorders
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Treatment and support
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How to help someone
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When to get help
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Explain the session is about learning and awareness — not diagnosis.
Slide 3 – What is Anxiety?
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Anxiety is a mental health condition
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Everyone feels anxious sometimes
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Anxiety becomes a problem when it is strong, long-lasting, or overwhelming
👉 It can affect:
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Thoughts
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Feelings
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Body
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Behaviour
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Normalise anxiety but explain when it becomes a disorder.
Slide 4 – Normal Anxiety vs Anxiety Disorder
Normal Anxiety:
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Short-term
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Linked to a situation
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Goes away
Anxiety Disorder:
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Long-term
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Happens often
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Interferes with daily life
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Give examples like exams vs constant worry.
Slide 5 – Signs of Anxiety
A person may feel:
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Worried or afraid
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Nervous or tense
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Restless
They may also have:
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Racing thoughts
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Trouble concentrating
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Explain that symptoms can vary from person to person.
Slide 6 – Physical Symptoms
Anxiety can affect the body:
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Fast heartbeat
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Sweating
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Shaking
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Feeling dizzy
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Shortness of breath
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Stomach problems
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Explain this is the “fight or flight” response.
Slide 7 – What is Happening in the Body?
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The brain thinks there is danger
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The body prepares to “fight or run away”
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This is called the stress response
👉 This can happen even when there is no real danger
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Link to survival system being “overactive.”
Slide 8 – Causes of Anxiety
Anxiety can be caused by:
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Genetics (family history)
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Brain chemistry
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Trauma or stress
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Life events
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Medical conditions
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Environment
👉 Usually it is a combination of factors
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Avoid blaming the person.
Slide 9 – Types of Anxiety Disorders
Common types include:
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Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
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Panic Disorder
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Social Anxiety Disorder
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Phobias
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
🗣 Speaker Notes:
You can explain each briefly or say they will be covered in later modules.
Slide 10 – How Anxiety Affects Daily Life
Anxiety can make it hard to:
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Work or study
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Sleep
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Socialise
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Make decisions
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Try new things
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Use real-life examples.
Slide 11 – Treatment for Anxiety
Anxiety can be treated with:
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Talking therapies (CBT, counselling)
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Medication (if needed)
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Lifestyle changes
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Support groups
👉 Help from a doctor or therapist is important
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Explain that treatment is effective.
Slide 12 – Coping Strategies
Helpful strategies include:
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Breathing exercises
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Relaxation techniques
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Exercise
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Healthy routine
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Talking to someone
🗣 Speaker Notes:
You can demonstrate a breathing exercise if teaching live.
Slide 13 – How to Support Someone
You can:
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Listen without judging
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Be patient
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Stay calm
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Encourage support
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Check in regularly
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Emphasise kindness and patience.
Slide 14 – What NOT to Say
Avoid saying:
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“Just calm down”
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“It’s not a big deal”
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“You’re overreacting”
👉 These can make anxiety worse
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Explain impact of invalidation.
Slide 15 – When to Get Help
Seek help if:
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Anxiety is severe or long-lasting
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It affects daily life
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The person cannot cope
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Encourage early support.
Slide 16 – Crisis Support
If someone is in crisis:
📞 U.S. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
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Call or text 988
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Available 24/7
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Explain this is for emergencies and support.
Slide 17 – Key Messages
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Anxiety is common
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It is treatable
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People can recover
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Support makes a difference
🗣 Speaker Notes:
End with a positive message.
Slide 18 – Group Activity / Discussion
Ask:
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What helps you feel calm?
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What makes anxiety worse?
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How can we support others?
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Encourage participation.
Slide 19 – Quiz (Optional)
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Is anxiety always a problem?
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Name one symptom of anxiety
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Name one way to help someone
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Check understanding.
Slide 20 – Summary
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Anxiety affects mind and body
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It has many causes
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Treatment and support help
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Everyone can support others
🗣 Speaker Notes:
Thank learners and close session.