Resources for Anxiety in Young People
According to the NHS, 1 in 6 young people aged 8-16 have experienced a mental health disorder (1). Anxiety disorder is particularly common in this age group. Anxiety is the feeling of being scared, worried or nervous about the future. It can be a normal response to stress but when it stops your child from carrying on with their normal life then it becomes a disorder. Sometimes anxiety disorder can be misdiagnosed as perfectionism or the normal ups and downs of being a teenager (2).
So what resources are available to you as a parent concerned about your child?
School Counselling
The Education Authority in Northern Ireland provide the HOPE service. This is a service provided to any post-primary pupil who needs additional emotional support. You should be able to access this support through the school or you can e-mail them directly at the link below (3).
Barnardos Counselling and Play Therapy
Barnardos in Northern Ireland provide a number of services including school counselling and play therapy for primary and post-primary children. This can be accessed through contacting them directly (4) or through the Family Support Hub NI (5).
Parenting Support
Sometimes as parents you can feel at a loss of how to manage high emotions and distress at home. Parenting Focus is a Northern Ireland based charity providing courses on managing the teenage years, helping your child with emotional regulation and violence at home (6).
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
CAMHS is a specialist NHS mental health service for children and young people up to the age of 18. There are several levels of support that CAMHS provide but unfortunately waiting times can be lengthy and you may wish to consider the other options listed above first. That being said if your child is experiencing more severe mental health problems, for example they have harmed or are at risk of harming themselves, CAMHS can provide more urgent support. To find out more about the CAMHS service in the Southern Trust you can check out there website listed below (7).
Resources:
