Keeping kids cool under pressure

Thursday 25 August 2005

A group program will be launched by the University of Newcastle's Psychology Clinic for primary school aged children with anxiety.

Dr Rosemary Webster from the Faculty of Science and Information Technology says that the Cool Kids® Program is most suitable for children in Years 3 - 6 with separation anxiety, specific phobias, social phobia and generalised anxiety.

"Causes of childhood anxiety can include fears, nightmares, trauma, separation from parents, bullying and parents divorcing," says Dr Webster.

"It's really important that we start to treat children who are suffering from anxiety while they are still in primary school.",/p>

"We suspect that if the anxiety is left untreated, it will only become worse when the child gets to high school. This could lead to other problems such as depression, eating disorders or drug and alcohol problems."

Dr Webster says the Cool Kids® Program is based on a decade of research from Macquarie University, Royal North Shore Hospital and the University of Queensland.

"Results show that 80% of children who complete the program have great improvements in their levels of anxiety, which are maintained for up to 6 years."

Children and parents attend the groups, and spend some of the session time together and some time separately.

"Results are better when parents are included in the program, rather than just the child receiving treatment alone," says Dr Webster.

Children do not have to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder to be included in the group. The program consists of ten 90-minute sessions and will run over 12 - 16 weeks commencing in September 2005. The group program costs $120 and includes a workbook for each child and parent.

For further information, contact the Psychology Clinic on (02) 4921 5075.

For interviews: Dr Rosemary Webster, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, on (02) 4921 5975 or (02) 4921 5075.