Supporting Teens with Anxiety

Parent Tips: Supporting Teens with Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal part of life—especially during the teenage years, when young people are navigating school pressure, friendships, changing identities, and more. While it can be tough to see your child struggling, your support makes a huge difference.

With the right strategies, teens can learn to manage anxiety and build resilience. Here are a few tips for helping your teen through stressful times:

💬 1. Keep the Conversation Open

Let your teen know it's okay to feel anxious and that you're there to listen—without judgement or pressure to “solve” it. Ask open-ended questions like, “What’s been on your mind lately?” or “What’s something that’s been stressing you out?”

🧘 2. Model Calm Behaviours

Teens often absorb how adults handle stress. Show them how you pause, reflect, and take care of yourself when life feels overwhelming. Even small things like deep breathing, mindful walking, or taking a break can leave a lasting impression.

🕰️ 3. Support Structure & Routine

A predictable daily routine helps create a sense of safety. Support healthy sleep habits, encourage movement, plan regular meal times, and carve out space for rest. Reducing screen time—especially before bed—can also help improve sleep and reduce anxious thoughts.

🧩 4. Help Them Break Tasks Into Steps

Anxiety can make simple things feel huge. Help your teen take big tasks (like exam prep or a school presentation) and break them into smaller, doable steps. Celebrate small wins along the way—it builds confidence!

🧠 5. Teach Coping Skills

Share strategies like deep breathing, journaling, using grounding techniques (like “5-4-3-2-1”), or taking short walks to clear their mind. Encourage your teen to find what works best for them—it’s all about building a personalised toolkit.

📞 6. Know When to Reach Out

If anxiety starts to impact your child’s sleep, school attendance, relationships, or general wellbeing, it might be time to speak with someone. You're not alone in this.

Our Wellbeing Team—Kim, Nick, Abbey and Jordan—are here to support both students and families. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to have a chat or if you’re concerned about your child’s mental health.

You can also explore professional support through:

Headspace
Beyond Blue
Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) – 24/7 free, confidential counselling for young people aged 5 to 25.

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