Wellbeing

Strategies to Support Anxious Children

When children have anxious thoughts or feelings, a common response from the adults in their lives is to step in and solve the problem. However, by helping children avoid “scary” situations, you may reinforce or fuel their anxiety. They also miss out opportunities to develop coping skills and prove to themselves they can deal with the anxious thought or feeling next time it comes up.

Here are some strategies you can implement to help your child learn how to cope with anxiety:

Start by slowing down: Encourage your child to take some slow, deep breaths to calm the physical effects of anxiety. Once your child is feeling a bit calmer, you can talk through what’s worrying them.
Make time to worry: Set aside some designated time daily and encourage your child to talk about, draw or write down whatever is bothering them.
Climb that ladder: Break down worries into manageable chunks and create mini-goals that gradually work towards the final goal.
Encourage positive thinking: Help your child shift their worse-case-scenario thinking patterns by:
- reminding them of times they have dealt with similar issues in the past and how things worked out OK
- helping them to challenge scary thought with facts and evidence
- making a plan for how they will respond if things don’t go as they’d like.
Have a go: Emphasise giving new things a try and having fun over whether something is a success or failure.
Model helpful coping: When you are anxious or stressed, verbalise how you are coping with the situation. For example, “This looks a bit scary, but I’ll give it a go.”

Remember, the goal for most children is not to eliminate anxiety completely. It is about giving them the skills to manage anxiety so it doesn’t get in the way of enjoying life.

When to seek support?

There may be times when support from family and friends is not enough, and your young person needs to get professional support. If worries and anxiety are causing difficulties for your child, encourage them to see one of the Student Wellbeing staff, your general practitioner (GP) or visit your local Headspace centre https://headspace.org.au/

beyondblue Support Service

1300 22 4636 (24 hours/ 7 days a week) (cost of a local call)

www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport

Talk to a trained mental health professional for support, advice and information about anxiety or depression.

The information above has been sourced from beyondblue and is available at www.beyondblue.org.au

Penny Hsiao

Health Promotion Nurse

Monash Youth Services Study Space:

MONASH YOUTH SURVEY STARTS TODAY!

Monash Youth Services are currently encouraging all young people aged 10-25 who have a significant link to the City of Monash to complete the Monash Youth Survey. The results of this survey will guide the themes and actions that the City of Monash will adopt in response to the needs of young people in the community.

Everyone who completes the survey can go into the draw to win one of the three prizes of their choice – a Fitbit Inspire, a Razer Blackshark V2 X Gaming Headset, or a 12-month Zoos Victoria Membership. Competition and survey closes Friday, June 4, 2021 with 3 big winners to be announced.

It would be wonderful if you could encourage students at your school to complete the 5 minute survey to ensure that they are represented in the data.

The survey is accessible online at https://shape.monash.vic.gov.au/2021youthsurvey but I have also attached a copy if you need. Please feel free to share this information, attached poster and link in your newsletter, social media posts or on your website.

Michael Alexis

Wellbeing Coordinator