By Connie Davies, Student on Placement at The Eaves
Approximately 1 in every 6 children suffers from mental health problems in the UK*. Many primary-school-age children experience anxiety caused by school and the pressures that come with it. There are many ways you can help ease the suffering caused by anxiety, for example, relaxation methods, talking therapy and cognitive therapy.
Why do children suffer from anxiety?
As September arrives there are high chances that anxiety levels are rising. School can be a stressful and anxious environment for all ages. There could be many reasons as to why people suffer from anxiety around the thoughts of going back to school or just generally school itself.
These could be reasons such as**:
- Fitting in/friendship groups
- Social interactions
- Changes
- Unpredictability
- Fear of mistakes
- Fear of getting things wrong
- Grades and results
- Of course, recently – Covid19
- … and many more.
How can parents help?
As parents, how can you make the transition easier?
- Encourage conversation around school and their experience of it.
- Monitor day to day health, for example, the amount of sleep being had and food intake at mealtimes.
- Encourage fun activities as well as relaxing activities. Enabling you to check in with them.
- Try and normalise the feelings around what’s making them anxious, encouraging openness and comfortableness.
If you are looking for additional support for your child, therapy is an important option to consider. At The Eaves, we have over 100 therapists that are based across our practices in Guildford, Godalming and Farnham as well as online. They see individuals of all ages, families, couples and young people 12 hours a day, Monday to Saturday between 9am and 9pm. Please call 01483 917000 to speak to a member of the referrals team. You can also send us an enquiry via our website. Click here to find out more.
References
*https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/well-being/mental-health-statistics
**https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/advice-for-parents/anxiety-in-children/