As a new academic year begins, many children and adolescents are excited to return to school (although they may not want to admit it!). For other young people, however, this transition period creates a heightened state of anxiety about academics, social interactions, being around new people in new settings, and even concerns about their emotional or physical well-being in an era of bullying and gun violence. The 2010 National Comorbidity Study noted that the lifetime prevalence of anxiety in adolescents was 31.9%, making it the most frequently diagnosed mental health disorder in youth.
How can parents understand and respond to their children’s anxiety in such cases? There are a number of resources that can help. Read a recent interview with University of Connecticut psychologist Dr. Golda Ginsburg as a starting point. The JED Foundation just published suggestions for college students who want to reduce their stress as classes gear up. CRG’s website has archived CRG newsletter articles about helping young people deal with anxiety and stress. We also host free webinars to provide more detailed information about this important topic, too. CRG salutes the thoughtful and proactive leaders in Indiana who have developed evidence-based interventions to promote safe schools by helping students deal with anxiety and related mental health issues.
