How To Deal With Anxiety and Stress – Youth Dialogue

In the midst of the global pandemic the Pacific Islands region continues to deal with natural disasters. In the northern parts of the region, prolonged drought continues in the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati and Tuvalu. In the southern parts of the region Tropical Cyclone Harold impacted the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga. At its height it was classed as a category 4 cyclone – the most powerful category is a 5! Young people have traditionally been the ‘hands and feet’ of relief work. Young people are experiencing the stress of natural disasters together with the anxiety from the social and economic consequences of Covid-19. I4C Pacific partnered with the Pacific Youth Council to engage psychologist and mental skills trainer Dr. Gaylene Finekaso, PhD via an online session with youth representatives, to provide coping skills for stress and anxiety.