Understand more about anxiety in children and young people, and find out how we can help.
How to support children with anxiety
To effectively support children who are experiencing anxiety, it's vital for parents to understand the underlying causes and to work with their child to develop effective coping strategies, which may include:
Encouraging open communication
Ask your child to express their worries and fears and to open up to you about their thoughts and feelings.
Establishing a routine
A structured routine can help children feel more secure and in control, providing stability in their daily lives.
Time to relax
Daily times that children can relax and engage in enjoyable leisure activities without judgement or external demands, for example a personal hobby.
Engaging in physical activity
Physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety and boost self-esteem and confidence.
Seeking professional support
If your child's anxiety is causing significant distress or disruption to their life, it is important to seek the support of a mental health professional. This may include therapy, an assessment, or medication.
Everyday strategies for managing anxiety
In this video, Dr Andrea Pickering shares practical strategies for managing anxiety, including effective relaxation techniques like progressive muscle relaxation to reduce muscle tension, deep breathing exercises to calm the nervous system, and journaling methods to manage worry and overthinking.