Kilcullen sisters holding anxiety workshop on Saturday

Sylvia and Lesley Kelly.

A workshop on dealing with anxiety is being held in Kilcullen Town Hall next Saturday, 15 October, organised by two local women in response to what they see as a growing problem, writes Brian Byrne.

Career and life coach Sylvia Kelly and her sister Lesley, a teacher in CPC, will conduct the event which starts at 10.30am and is scheduled to last an hour and a half.

"In everyday conversations with people, particularly parents, we're hearing about anxiety problems — people anxious themselves and also reporting anxiety in their children," says Sylvia, who believes the issue has become much bigger as the world recovers from the pandemic. Experts agree — recent World Health Organisation research suggests that anxiety on a global basis has escalated as much as 25pc following the two years of Covid, and is now being aggravated by worries over the cost of living crisis and increased international tension.

Saturday's workshop is aimed at exploring the issue generally for local people concerned about this aspect of mental health. A better understanding of the condition and its causes and symptoms will be explored. Techniques to reduce anxiety will also be discussed, as will how to change mindsets to help address it.

"We've advertised the workshop to parents of children at preschool, primary and second level," Sylvia told the Diary today. "I'm a mum of two and I'm having conversations with other mums every day. Lesley is a teacher and we're both hearing from parents having their own anxieties, and a lot about teenagers too."

Depending on what develops from the introductory event, there may be further sessions, perhaps one directly for the young people themselves. "We want to engage with the parents who are feeling anxious themselves because of all the things they're trying to juggle, and then help them to support their kids who may also be trying to deal with anxiety problems."

Sylvia is aware that the issue is not exclusive to women, that men are also dealing with similar problems. But men aren't as open about their own anxieties, don't seek out someone to talk to or try and access the services in the same way women do. She was shocked at a recent TV programme which showed that men have more than three times the suicide rate of women. "We'd love to see men coming to this too." 

Neither of the sisters claim to be experts on mental health, but they're coming from their own personal experiences with others. "We're hearing that the parents need help and the kids need help. So if we can open that dialogue with parents, maybe we can show that there may be a different way to approach the concerns."

Back in Kilcullen after living and working in Australia, the UK and Ireland, Sylvia has more than 15 years experience as a career and life coach. She is currently studying Rapid Transformational Therapy which uses a variety of techniques to help people transform their lives. Lesley is a secondary school art teacher, a professional artist, and a visiting lecturer at the National College of Art & Design. She has helped many students deal with life challenges through the artist process.

"Between us we have over 30 years of working with people, helping them," Sylvia says. "We have always wanted to do something together, and this seems to be needed. If we can help the parents to understand anxiety more, then they will have the knowledge to support their kids."

There is a fee of €30 for Saturday's session, Rethinking Anxiety, transform fear into fuel for Success. Places are limited, and should be booked by emailing SylviaKellyCoaching22@gmail.com.

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