Written by: The Meadows Adolescent Center By Wesley Gallagher There’s no doubt that mental health issues like anxiety are on the rise among children and adolescents. As parents, it can be hard to know what to do when your child experiences anxiety or depression. Is mental health in kids just part of growing up, or is it something you should be concerned about and have treated by a professional? If you’re wondering what causes anxiety in kids, how to help anxiety in kids, or how to help depression in kids, we are here to help. Is mental health in kids just part of growing up, or is it something you should be concerned about and have treated by a professional? What Causes Anxiety in Kids? Before we can talk about helping kids with anxiety, we need to look at some of the underlying causes of anxiety in kids. Every child is different, and there are many factors that contribute to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. But there are key contributors to childhood anxiety today that didn’t exist in the past. Some of the biggest contributors to the rise in anxiety and depression among youth include: Increased academic pressure — From homework in kindergarten to competitive college admissions, academic pressure is greater for our youth than ever before. The emphasis on excellence in both the classroom and extracurriculars puts unmanageable burdens on children who should be playing outside and spending time with friends and family. Social media — It may be trendy to talk about the negative effects of social media, but there’s good reason. According to Education Week, America’s Surgeon General declared the declining mental health of children “the crisis of our time,” citing social media as the driving factor behind it. Children are spending more time in front of screens comparing themselves to unrealistic depictions of other people, which also means less time spent on activities that increase mental health, like playing outside, exercising, and spending time with friends and family. Decreased independence — You might be surprised to learn that many researchers believe the decline in children’s mental health is directly correlated with the decline in children’s independence. A study in The Journal of Pediatrics summarized evidence showing that loss of freedom is correlated with decline in mental health among children, and therefore is likely a major cause of the rise in mental health disorders among today’s youth. How to Help Anxiety in Kids Now you’re probably wondering how to help anxiety in kids, especially if you have a child showing symptoms of anxiety. One of the most important aspects is to address mental health issues like anxiety and depression when they present themselves, rather than waiting until they get worse down the road. Untreated mental health issues can intensify with time and even lead to other problems like substance abuse. One of the most important aspects is to address mental health issues like anxiety and depression when they present themselves, rather than waiting until they get worse down the road. The Mayo Clinic recommends these tools you can use to support your anxious child: Identify triggers – Start by helping your child identify what makes them anxious. This is the first step in learning to cope. Validate and empathize – No matter how irrational their emotions, your child’s feelings and fears are real to them and need to be affirmed and validated before you try to help manage them. Challenge unhelpful thinking – Talk through your child’s concerns with them, allowing them to explain their thoughts and emotions. Help them to identify any ideas that may be unhelpful or unrealistic and gently steer them towards adopting more practical and constructive ones. Practice deep breathing – Show your child how to practice deep breathing when they are anxious, taking in deep, slow breaths that fill their belly with air. This practice increases oxygen levels in the bloodstream, decreases heart rate, breathing rate, and muscle tension, and allows them to calm down and think more clearly. Teach them to use this when they start to feel anxious. Break down tasks – If something feels overwhelming, teach your child to break large tasks down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Role-play – If your child is worried about a particular situation, “practice” the situation ahead of time by acting it out. Build confidence – Give your child responsibilities and opportunities to face challenges, which will build confidence as they realize they are capable of more than they thought. Many of these tips can assist with other mental health issues like depression as well. And if coping mechanisms like these aren’t helping your child, never hesitate to get outside help from a professional. The Meadows Adolescent Center Is Here When You Need Us If your child is struggling with mental health issues like depression or anxiety, you’ll want to get help from therapists who are trained to treat youth. At The Meadows Adolescent Center, we treat boys ages 13-17 struggling from anxiety, depression, and a range of other mental health issues. Our highly trained professionals know the pressures adolescent boys face today, what causes them anxiety, and how to treat the whole child so they can achieve lasting healing. Contact us today to find out how we can help your teen get started on the road to recovery.
