Parents and Carers
Anxiety Guidance
Advice for parents of children expressing signs of excessive worry, Heighten anxiety
The best practice for parents of children showing excessive worry or heighten anxiety is to teach their children how to deal with it rather than taking them out of the situation. Be empathetic with your child by listening and expressing confidence in your child that he or she can face their fears, which will lead them to be less afraid and help them cope with anxiety. It’s helpful to discuss with children about their fears and their plan to deal with it. A plan can help deal with anxiety in calm way.
Normalization of anxiety - advice to parents: listen to them, find out the issues
Show your child that anxiety is normal and can be managed in a healthy way. Listen to your child, understand why they are worried, and encourage them to face fear. Never increase your child's fears, but encourage them to tolerate their fears. It helps the anxiety follow a natural course, and continued exposure to the stressor reduces anxiety.
Seek help from professional
Know when to seek professional help for your child
If the child is not getting better or if he/she is getting worse
Self-help is not working
Anxiety is affecting daily life and relationships with family and friends. Where to seek help
General Practitioner can access the child and can refer them to mental health clinic
Mental health specialist
Cayman Kids Helpline provides a safe space, and general guidance - this is not a substitute for clinical advice or treatment.
The Kids Helpline is proudly brought to you by the Alex Panton Foundation