Meg the Therapist Presents ‘Stress Less Workshop’ to Students at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School

Megan Anderson, known as Meg the Therapist, presented her “Stress Less Workshop” to students at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School on Thursday, Jan. 29. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

SOUTH EASTON — Bringing her raw, unvarnished brand of stress management, the public speaker known as Meg the Therapist asked everyone to close their eyes and to imagine a big, succulent lemon, cutting it open, squeezing it and slurping up the juice.

She noted how just thinking about this super sour experience can spur a physical reaction, such as increased salivation, tightness of the mouth and even a tingling sensation.

That’s just one of the many ways how changing what you think about can dramatically alter the way you feel, said Meg the Therapist, speaking to a group of juniors at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School.

“That was the first sign ever shown to me that your mind can control your body,” said the licensed mental health therapist and public speaker, a native of Brockton who normally goes by Megan Anderson. “There is, in fact, no lemon. But I’m thinking of a lemon and my body is reacting like there’s a lemon there.”

Anderson, who began her presentation by loosening up with a dance routine, gave her interactive “Stress Less Workshop” to juniors gathered at two different one-hour assemblies held at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School on Thursday morning, Jan. 29. Anderson is scheduled to return on Feb. 5 for another round of presentations before the senior class, reaching more than 800 students.

“I tried to fit in as many natural, easy stress management techniques as I could and mantras that I live by,” Anderson said. “We can use things like our breath, sighing and music. We spoke about the importance of connection and being a person of your word and not letting people steal your energy or have control over you.”

The presentations of the “Stress Less Workshop” are the result of a proposal to the school’s Guidance Department from two Southeastern students who belong to Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), requesting a guest speaker focused on real-life skills, self-management, coping and resiliency. The students, Maeve Cady and Loki Gendreau, worked with the Southeastern chapter of SADD and the nonprofit Constructing Hope to get the proposal to fruition, with sponsorship from the nonprofit Highpoint Prevention Services. The proposal aligned closely with Southeastern’s continued mental health efforts that were established during the school’s multi-year partnership with The Jed Foundation (JED).

During her presentation, Anderson provided students with tips and tools for students to use right away in order to manage stress and avoid unneeded stress. Throughout her presentation, Anderson focused on the mind-body connection and practical advice for how to prevent negative thoughts from taking over.

Much of the advice was simple: Take time to focus on breathing, becoming highly aware of each inhale and exhale. Some of it was sensible, such as listening to energetic, upbeat music. And a lot of it was practical, such as avoiding gossip and tuning out all the negative opinions spread by others, even when it’s personal.

Following the presentation, several students approached Anderson and expressed appreciation for her authentic approach to mental health, developing stress management strategies and connecting on an emotional level with her audience. One student gave her a big hug.

Anderson said moments like that remind her of how important it is to connect with young people about the importance of caring for their mental health.

“Meg connected with students in a way that felt real and approachable, and the message clearly resonated,” said Lois Miller, Director of Guidance for the Southeastern Regional School District. “She provided practical tools students can use immediately and reinforced the importance of managing stress in healthy ways.”

Superintendent Holly McClanan praised the students who helped bring the presentation to Southeastern and emphasized the value of proactive mental health education.

“Providing students with real-life coping strategies is an important part of preparing them for success both in and out of school,” said Superintendent McClanan. “We are grateful to our teachers, staff and community partners who work every day to support our students’ mental health.”

###

Megan Anderson, known as Meg the Therapist, spoke about how music, dance and connection with others can all help boost mental health. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Throughout her “Stress Less Workshop,” Megan Anderson empowered students at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School to take control of their own thoughts in order to protect their mental well-being. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

The presentations of the “Stress Less Workshop” at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School were the result of a proposal to the school’s Guidance Department from two students who belongs to Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Megan Anderson, known as Meg the Therapist, took questions from the students in the audience at the end of her presentation. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)

Following the presentation, several students approached Anderson and expressed appreciation for her authentic approach to mental health, including one student who gave her a big hug. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)