Helping a child with anxiety – UPS Education & Wellbeing Committee

In 2021, the Education & Wellbeing Committee invited UPS parents to participate in a survey to provide us with feedback in relation to key topics of interest, in the area of wellbeing. We will be using the data gleaned from the survey to guide our activities as a committee this year, and hope to organise at least one key speaker to visit the school to provide an information session to parents before the end of the year. We will also be creating and sharing blog posts for parents and carers on key topics of interest to provide links to external information created by reputable professionals such as psychologists and counsellors.

Parents indicated in the survey that mental health is the area in which they would most like more support and information, with anxiety being an issue parents are keen to learn more about.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, anxiety in children is the second most common disorder in Australian children between the ages of 5 and 14.

As a committee, we have gathered together a range of resources to inform and support families. Please also note that the Parent Library, located in the front office windowsill next to the desk, also has a fantastic range of parenting and wellbeing books that you are able to borrow.

The Department of Education recommends Beyond blue. This is a resource for families to learn more about mental health, including anxiety.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au

Free online program developed by the University of Queensland to provide parents (with children aged 3-7) or children aged 8 and above, with information and skills to help them cope with their worries:

https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au/

Helpful articles:

Calm Kids Central – from Developing Minds (one of the leading child psychology clinics in Adelaide):

https://www.calmkidcentral.com/important-principles-helping-anxiousstress-children/

https://www.calmkidcentral.com/exposure-for-children-with-anxiety-symptoms-helping-children-act-in-brave-ways/

Insightful podcast episodes:

Parental As Anything with Maggie Dent:

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/parental-as-anything-with-maggie-dent/do-you-have-an-anxious-child/11918514

Feed Play Love:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/feed-play-love/id1041857242?i=1000562111007

Resources to support your child in understanding and accessing support around anxiety include…

https://kidshelpline.com.au