Childhood anxiety disorders: Raising awareness with the MHA NSW
Emma Pinn
It might surprise you to learn that anxiety disorders typically start in childhood; around 1 in 10 children will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their early years. If they don't receive professional treatment for their anxiety, children become much more vulnerable to depression in adolescence, as well as a range of other disorders including developing a secondary anxiety disorder, drug/alcohol use, and personality disorders in adulthood. Although the "1 in 10" statistic is alarming, if children with anxiety disorders receive evidence-based treatment (CBT has the most evidence for effectively treating childhood anxiety), they usually improve to the point of being anxiety disorder free. CBT for children with anxiety teaches a range of skills including challenging negative or worried thoughts, relaxation training, and learning to tolerate anxiety. Parents are also involved in the treatment process.
The Mental Health Association (MHA) NSW runs the Small Steps program, which is about raising awareness of childhood anxiety disorders amongst primary school teachers and parents in NSW. I will be partnering with the MHA NSW to deliver Small Steps seminars in the Blue Mountains region. The seminars are free (funded by NSW Health), run for about 1 hour, and provide a comprehensive overview of what anxiety looks like in children, and when and how to help.
If you're interested in having a Small Steps anxiety seminar held at your child's school, contact the MHA NSW on (02) 9339 6003, or follow this link to the website.