We’re child psychologists and here’s how to help kids of all ages with their anxieties

ONE in six children suffers from mental health disorders, while 78 percent who have sought counseling experience social anxiety.

As Children’s Mental Health Week begins tomorrow, Place2Be, a charity for young people, is calling on parents, carers and teachers to help young people have conversations about how they’re feeling.

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The child psychologist Dr. Sophie Abrahams says: “All children have worries from time to time, for example when they start school or when they take exams. These are normal and should not have any lasting effects.

“For some children, worries and emotions affect their thoughts and behaviors every day and interfere with their daily lives, including school, home and friendships.

Soothing tones

“For all ages, anxieties can go away with the support of those who care for them, but it’s a good idea to seek professional help if they are constantly anxious or their behavior continues to be extreme or worrisome.”

Place2Be, of which the Princess of Wales is Patron, has partnered with more than 500 schools and 240,000 students over the past year.

The charity revealed that 78 percent of the children and teens it supports felt socially anxious and 65 percent had difficulty speaking to children their age. Three quarters saw an improvement in severe mental health problems after receiving support.

Catherine Roche, CEO of Place2Be said: “We have seen an increase in the number of children with problems.

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“NHS data shows it has risen from one in ten to one in six children and one in four older teenagers with a likely mental illness.

“Children have seen so many stressors – Covid, the war in Ukraine and now a livelihood crisis – all of which have contributed to the difficulties faced by many young people.

“But we know that with support, we can produce resilient young people who are able to meet life’s challenges.”

Here dr. Abrahams and his colleague, child psychologist Dr. Sanchita Chowdhury on how to help your child at different ages.

Toddlers 0-1

Seek: Crying and noise as newborns and young children use these to communicate feelings.

They are completely dependent on their caregivers to meet their basic needs.

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Caregivers can see changes in how a baby cries to indicate pain or hunger, but it’s often very difficult to distinguish.

What you can do: Communicate back with soft, soothing tones to show they’ve been heard, check that their basic needs are met (e.g. diapers, feeding, swaddling) and offer cuddles and eye contact.

Early years 1-5

Seek: Behavioral changes as they communicate that way. They may withdraw and neither want to go to kindergarten nor to school.

Some avoid eating, citing abdominal pain.

They may talk less, have toilet accidents, or act up and show more aggression or sadness.

Separation anxiety is common.

What you can do: Listen and acknowledge their words and behavior and feel empathetic.

Once they’ve calmed down, offer plenty of pats and talk about what happened and how you can cope in the future.

Children 5-11

Seek: Signs that they are having problems, such as E.g. internalizing their feelings – withdrawing, becoming calm, complaining about a stomach ache or a headache.

Or they can vent feelings through negative behaviors, such as challenging adults.

Children still need support in developing their emotional language.

Friendships, school, and fatigue all play a bigger role in their ability to regulate emotions.

What you can do: Be aware of changes in their attitude or behavior and use them as an opportunity to provide support. Let them know that how they feel is okay and provide compassion, empathy, and physical comfort.

Tell them that you understand and accept their feelings, but set limits on negative behaviors, e.g. B. “I can see you’re angry, but it’s not okay to hit.”

Help them describe feelings, e.g. B. “You look frustrated when you do your homework.”

Solve problems with them, “Would you like help getting started?”.

Stories on related topics are good conversation starters. Gentle breathing techniques also help.

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Youth 11-18

Where to look: Anxiety, depression, bad mood and body image issues as these are common in teenagers.

Hormones play a role and it is very important to feel socially accepted.

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Teens may be relying on instincts and their brains are not yet fully developed, especially when it comes to planning and empathy.

Signs that your child is struggling emotionally can include becoming more withdrawn, rejecting activities they would normally enjoy, decreased confidence, tears or anger, and constant worrying.

Difficulty sleeping, self-harm, compulsive habits, panic attacks, and changes in appetite are all signs of anxiety.

What you can do: Don’t feel like you have to solve problems. Let your child know that they can speak to you and be heard.

Encourage small, achievable goals and celebrate success.

Consider exercise and mindfulness apps like Headspace or Calm. Plan ahead with them on how to handle potentially stressful situations.