Seek help. If you notice persistent signs of anxiety in your child, Bartley recommends a visit to your family physician to discuss concerns. Ask if they employ a behavioral health clinician. “We’re seeing more behavioral health clinicians being integrated into those settings,” said Bartley. “You can go to your child’s pediatrician and get the advice of a mental health professional who will also work with your child’s school and provide holistic, comprehensive care.” When seeking a therapist, find out which providers are covered by your insurance and what benefits your plan provides. Many employers offer employee assistance programs that include free counseling. Parents can call or text 988, Oklahoma’s Mental Health Lifeline, in a crisis situation or with questions or concerns about a child’s mental health, or their own. Operators are locally licensed and certified health crisis specialists who answer calls, connect with and dispatch local services and mobile crisis teams as needed. In the midst of ensuring your child’s immunizations are up to date, scheduling their well-checks and meeting their mental health needs, parents should consider what preventative services you’re due for as well. “Those regular check-ups are a form of self-care,” said Bartley. “Kids often come first, but those regular checks with your PCP are crucial for your own health and your family’s health as well.”
“Positive activities relieve stress,” said Bartley. “Kids don’t always need to talk things out.” Talk with kids about safe adults with whom they can share worries. You, as the parent, can also check in with these individuals if you’re concerned about your child’s mental health to see if they’re noticing signs of anxiety. “Since the pandemic, families have become pretty isolated,” said Bartley. “The U.S. Surgeon General has declared loneliness as a public health crisis. Loneliness has an impact on health, especially for children. Sometimes kids are more willing to share with a teacher or another safe person. The more trusted people in a kid’s life, the better.” Recognize the signs of anxiety. Anxiety manifests differently depending on a child’s age. Younger children may exhibit regression in developmental milestones like eating and sleeping, especially when their routine changes. For older kids, even when they’re excited to see their school friends, they can still experience stress. Signs of anxiety could include irritability, major behavior changes or avoidance of activities or people they once enjoyed. While stress is normal for kids during the back-to-school transition, any regressive behaviors or major behavior changes that last longer than a month could indicate anxiety.
Editor’s note: Learn more about behavioral health benefits offered to members by insurance companies like Aetna Better Health here.
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Healthy Families Guide 43
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