It is not easy to watch your child suffer with anxiety. The following resources offer information about anxiety in children, tips on how to help your child cope with anxiety, and support for parents and families.

• Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) provides information and strategies for parents of children with anxiety.

• Dr. Michael Cheng, MD, offers a comprehensive guide for families at: Overcoming Anxiety: Guide for Families.

• Parent’s Lifelines of Eastern Ontario (PLEO) (613-321-3211) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven family support organization for families whose children, youth, or young adults up to age 24 are dealing with mental health issues.

Urgent Care

If a child in your care is actively suicidal, at risk of harm to themself or someone else, they should be brought immediately to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.

Semi-Urgent or Non-Urgent Care

If you’re looking for mental health services for a child or youth, here are some places to start:

• Your family physician.

• Walk-in clinics and anxiety resource centres. In Ottawa, try the Youth Services Bureau (12 to 20 years of age) or Crossroads Children’s Centre (up to 12 years).

• Private practice counsellors such as psychologists, social workers, or certified counsellors. A database of counsellors is available online through Psychology Today.

• Your employee assistance program (if you have one).