Speaking up in class, walking into a crowded room, or introducing yourself to new people can be everyday challenges for many students. On Feb. 4, students gathered to discuss social anxiety, a condition that affects many people but is often misunderstood. The event, led by Royals RISE project coordinator Annalise Livingston, focused on defining social anxiety, sharing personal experiences, and exploring tools for managing it. 

Student panelists, Leah Frankenfield and Hollyn Miller, both seniors at EMU, also shared their personal experiences with social anxiety. Frankenfield said that she tends to feel a heightened anxiety in unfamiliar places, particularly when surrounded by groups of more than ten people. 

Miller discussed the importance of self-awareness when it came to managing her anxiety, explaining that she tries to cope by “trying to understand why I’m noticing these sensations and what’s sparking that.”

Building on these shared experiences, the event also highlighted several tools that can be kept in a “toolbox” to help individuals manage their social anxiety. These included box breathing, reframing negative thoughts, temperature changes, and muscle tightening and releasing. These techniques were described as simple, accessible strategies that students can use in moments of heightened anxiety to help ground themselves and regain a sense of control. Campus resources were also discussed, including the EMU Counseling Center, where counselors provide a confidential space to support students’ mental and emotional health. 

Livingston emphasized the importance of creating spaces centered on mental health, noting that these conversations can help students feel less alone. In an email statement, Livingston said, “I think that events focusing on mental health are relatable, as everyone experiences mental health, even if we experience and connect with it in different ways.” Livingston also shared that her office is always open for students who may need a space to talk, decompress, or seek additional support.