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Children and young people with anxiety

Anxiety in children and young people

According to the NHS, as of 2021, 17% (1 in 6) 6 to 16 year olds experience one or more mental disorders.

Anxiety and uncertainty are a normal part of growing up as children and young people face experiences and challenges that they may not have come across before. However, when these feelings of worry or stress start to creep into the everyday or stop your child from engaging in activities that they used to enjoy, then this may be a sign that they are experiencing anxiety and could use a little extra support.
Please note: Anxiety UK does not provide 1-1 therapy to children or young people under the age of 18.

Advice for caregivers supporting a child with anxiety

  • Acknowledge their feelings, even if they seem ‘over the top’ to an adult.
  • Regulate their physiological responses to anxiety by using calming techniques.
  • Relate to them by connecting emotionally.
  • Reason with them – help them think through their experience and offerguidance.We have a selection of resources that may be helpful for both you and your child here.

Why not check out some of our books...

...or download some of our free resources?

Help for students

If you are a student and are feeling the extra pressures that come with studying, being away from home, and meeting new people, we have a range of support available that you may find helpful:
Students and anxiety

‘Helping your child’ CBT programme

Our ‘Helping your Child’ Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based programme is designed to give parents the skills needed to support their child and is suitable for children aged from 5 to 12.

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About us

Anxiety UK is a national registered charity formed in 1970, by Katharine and Harold Fisher, for those affected by anxiety and anxiety disorders.

To read more, please click here.

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We do not tolerate rude, abusive, offensive, racist or sexist language. Any contact received with content deemed offensive, abusive, racist, sexist etc. will not be responded to as we operate a zero tolerance policy to abuse of any form. Legal action will be considered/taken if appropriate. For more information click here.

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Contact us

Anxiety UK, Nunes House, 447 Chester Road, Manchester M16 9HA

See our FAQs here 

Press/media enquiries: [email protected]

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Caroline FrankauCaroline Frankau
18:49 07 Mar 23
Joining Anxiety UK has had a very positive impact on my health and well-being. I thoroughly recommend their services.
Jonathan BeeverJonathan Beever
11:25 10 Oct 22
Niamh Shepherd gave an interactive online talk at my work today! it was one of the best Anxiety presentations i have seen and very well delivered, From my colleagues and I, thank you!
natnat
17:31 26 Sep 22
I had my CBT through Anxiety UK and it has been a really positive experience treating my generalised anxiety disorder. The Anxiety UK team is very professional and helpful and I was actually recommended by a friend who also had a positive experience with their CBT. I would definitely use Anxiety UK again if I needed to!
sophie jorgensen-rideoutsophie jorgensen-rideout
11:35 22 Sep 22
AnxietyUK has been so helpful to me - I joined to access affordable therapy, though I was worried there might be a long wait list. This was absolutely not the case, and I was assigned a therapist super quickly! They were also super helpful when unfortunately our schedules didn't align, and I was matched with a therapist with availability that matched mine. I really recommend AnxietyUK to everyone- they also have fantastic group resources and I think it's really really helpful, especially if you can't afford private therapy and the wait lists in your area are too long.
Susie KocherSusie Kocher
14:31 20 Aug 22
I found the therapy I received through Anxiety UK a crucial and affordable form of support during a very difficult time.For this I am forever grateful and will without a doubt use their services if needed again in the future.Thank you so much.
Joan TrelogganJoan Treloggan
12:28 03 Aug 22
Felt I was being listened to and felt I belonged. It was very reassuring. Unfortunately I am very deaf and missed most of the sharing. Is it possible to have subtitles please. A very sincere thank you for being there for me. What swift service you give.
Henry BrookHenry Brook
09:55 18 Jun 22
Very nice to know this support is out there as quite often hard to actually get an opportunity to speak to someone in person these days. Had my first session last week and so far so good. Very happy with the way things are going so far and also pleased with how smoothly it was set up and assessed as to what I was after and a service that fitted around my work and life balance.
Richard EvansRichard Evans
04:12 22 Mar 22
Through a period of some significant challenge, the services offered by Anxiety UK has been fantastic, and whilst there is a long road head, progress is positive and forward.I’m extraordinarily grateful for the help and support during a challenging time, both to the Anxiety UK and my Professional Institute, The Chartered Institute of Building and their respected benevolent fund.I'm about a third the way through a 16-week program and the benefits and rewards are already coming through.Thanks again, eternal appreciation.Rich
GregGreg
16:56 18 Mar 22
Speedy, understanding and professional. If you're struggling, don't be ashamed to seek out the help you need.
Avis GoughAvis Gough
20:57 15 Feb 22
Found it reassuring I'm not the only person struggling or that I'm doing things wrong
Margaret AllanMargaret Allan
17:11 01 Feb 22
I can't recommend Anxiety UK enough as they were a godsend to me while I waited on my psychology Appointment with NHS which took over a year.During this time I used most of the resources that can be found on the Anxiety UK website. One of the resources I used was the counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I paid for this but my fee was really small and worth every penny. Therapists are all qualified Healthcare Professionals who give up their time to help.Personally I feel Anxiety UK offers a fantastic service which fills that much needed gap between being referred to NHS and your actual appointment time which nowadays due to Covid can be up to a year in waiting time.Please don't wait and suffer just visit the Anxiety UK website and see for yourself !!
Tori FentonTori Fenton
20:19 30 Nov 21
Amazing experience! Everyone was so welcoming and non judgemental. It was really reassuring to know that I’m not on my own. A lovely bunch of people, very empathetic and willing to share their experiences as well as their own coping mechanisms.
Manisha GosarManisha Gosar
14:36 13 Nov 21
Very approachable, helpful and value for money
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