DEPRESSION • ANXIETY
WELLNESS • NAVIGATION
Your child has been referred by their Doctor or Nurse Practitioner to be part of the anxiety treatment pathway shown below:
Your Doctor or NP refers your child to NewPath for further evaluation.
(a medication trial may be considered)
You will be contacted by NewPath to book your child’s appointments for group or individual sessions.
Your child will access services at NewPath.
A follow-up with your Doctor or NP will be scheduled after six sessions to assess progress.
(alternative options may be considered)
Treatment continues with NewPath and your Doctor or NP until your child is ready to self manage.
Your child will be discharged from NewPath and will continue to work with your Doctor or NP.
Your child will use everything they have learned to self-manage their anxiety.
Anxiety
What is anxiety?
Life is stressful. It is normal to have fears and worries. Being worried about things can help us prepare for potential dangers; for example, being worried about failing a test helps us study for a test. When worries are so severe that it effects one’s ability to learn, make friends or have fun, it may be an anxiety disorder.
People with anxiety usually have:
- Worries and fears (depending on the type of anxiety they have)
- Physical symptoms (e.g. headaches, stomach-aches)
- Problems functioning due to their severe anxiety
What causes anxiety?
There are many things which can contribute to a child developing anxiety:
- Genetics: Some children are simply wired to be more sensitive; especially if parents have anxiety, children are at a higher risk. The good news is that this means parents hopefully will have more sympathy and understanding on how to support their child
- Stresses in life: Everyone has a ‘stress bucket’ that fills up with stresses in their life. When a child has to face too many stresses (e.g. parental separation; bullying; school stress; peer stress; trauma, etc.), or lacks the support of parents and family, this can add to anxiety.
How is anxiety treated?
Anxiety can be treated with counselling, medication, or both. If you are worried that your child may have anxiety, the first step is to take your child to the doctor.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is often used to treat anxiety. In CBT, clients learn to identify, question and change the thoughts, attitudes and beliefs related to the emotional and behavioural reactions that cause them difficulty.
If one does not respond to talking therapies, such as CBT, then medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be helpful. Anti-anxieties work by balancing the normal chemicals in the brain. They are not addictive or habit-forming. Anti-anxieties have not been shown to increase the risk of suicide. However, a few children and young adults will think about suicide more often than others and may hurt themselves. It is always important to be on the lookout for any suicidal thoughts or behaviours in depressed children. If your child is suicidal take them to the emergency room immediately for assessment. Click here for further information about medication.
How to help your child who is experiencing anxiety?
- Accept that you have a child, with a sensitive alarm system that becomes easily triggered to make them feel in danger. In order to support your child, do things that will help your child feel safe.
- Teach your child positive “self-talk”, teach your child to repeat a positive phrase that will help her face her fear. “I know I can do this” or “I’m brave and I’m not afraid”
- Teach your child self-compassion with phrases like, “I am anxious. Its okay to feel anxious. A lot of people feel anxious. Its part of being human.”
- Make sure you still have regular times when you simply have fun, relaxing times with your child.
- Parents and caregivers need to remember to take care of themselves too! Make sure that you still set aside time to take care of your own personal needs.
Things to avoid doing?
- Be aware of things that would make your child feel unsafe. Difficult conversations between spouses should happen when children are not present.
- If you notice you are getting emotionally overwhelmed, calm yourself first before supporting your child.
Recommended Viewing:
Healthy living makes a difference – Be Well!
Click on any of the icons below to find more information and resources available!
10 Hours Of Sleep
Aim for 10 hours of restful sleep. When we don’t get enough sleep it affects our bodies, minds, emotions and behaviours. Such as: hyperactivity, easily hurt feelings, difficulty focusing and potentially long-term health effects.
5 Servings Of Fruits and Veggies
Veggies and fruits have vitamins, minerals and fibre that help us grow. Aim for 5 or more servings everyday to help build strong bodies and minds. Veggies and fruits give us enegry to keep us going throughout our busy days.
2 Hours Or Less of Tv/Screen Time
When we are plugged in too much for our down time we aren’t making time for all the other great things around us like; playing, biking, walking, gardening. Families can: Take a break. Turn it off. Unplug & Play. Throughout the day.
1 Hour of Physical Activity/Play
Every step and movement we take or make throughout our day helps to make our mental and physical health better. Aim for 60 minutes of active play everyday. You can do it all at once or adds smaller amounts of time throughout the day.
0 Sugar Sweetened Beverages
Choose water first for thirst. Water contains no sugar, is free and is an environmentally sound choice when we use a refillable bottle. We win and the earth wins! Look for water refill stations, water fountains, the Blue W and taps because when we don’t drink enough water we can feel tired, muscle weakness and irritability.
Where can I get more information?
For more resources, videos or education please visit the Child and Youth page of the GBFHT website: www.gbfht.ca/mental-health or Be Well Community Collective www.bewellcommunity.ca.
