You’re not alone if you’ve got a student struggling with anxiety disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 20% of college students have an anxiety disorder, and many more have milder anxiety disorder symptoms that can impact their education.

If you’re a parent, you probably already know that your kids are going through a lot. There’s a lot for kids to deal with, from the pressure of school to their social lives to their emotional health.

One of the biggest challenges for kids today is anxiety, ranging from mild (like worrying about school) to severe (like having panic attacks). And it can be challenging for parents to know how best to help their kids manage their anxiety—especially if they never had it themselves and don’t understand what’s going on in their child’s head.

But what can parents do to help their kids to seek professional help through this challenging time? Here are seven expert support tips for parents:

1. Understand why your child is anxious

Understanding the specific causes of your child’s anxiety is essential, so you know how to best support them. Are they worried about an upcoming test? Or do they feel like they’re falling behind in classwork? Understanding the source of their stress is key to helping them find ways to reduce it.

2. Stay calm when talking about their anxiety

We all know that when we’re upset or stressed out, it’s hard not to take those emotions out on others around us—and our kids are no exception! So, when talking with your child about their anxiety, try not to get angry or frustrated with them; instead, try bringing up specific examples about how their stress affects their life so they can see how serious it is.

3. Listen without judgment or offering advice

If your child comes to you with concerns about school or other anxiety-related issues, don’t offer advice immediately—listen and take notes so you can refer back later if necessary. If you give advice, make sure it’s constructive and encouraging rather than judgmental or condescending; this will show your child that you’re listening carefully and taking them seriously as an individual who deserves respect regardless of age or circumstances.

4. Be there for them

The first step is always talking about what’s going on. If your child suffers from stress and anxiety and doesn’t want to talk about it, that’s okay! Just try to be available if they wish to speak—and don’t pressure them by asking if they’re OK too often. Let them lead the conversation, and don’t push too hard.

5. Understand what they need

We all have different ways of coping with stress, so don’t assume that one thing will work for everyone—and don’t assume that one thing won’t work at all! Talk with your child about how they like to manage their anxiety and see if there are any ways you can help make that easier for them (like providing quiet time every day after school).

6. Encourage them to seek out new friends

Your child might be struggling with anxiety because they feel alone at school, so one way you can help is by encouraging them to get out there and meet new people! Maybe you could even set up some play dates with other kids who seem like potential friends for your son or daughter!

7. Talk about their day

Listen closely when your student is talking about their day—don’t interrupt or try too hard to fix things immediately! This can help them feel heard and understood when they’re trying to explain how they think so that they’ll be more likely to share more information with you later on down the road if something else comes up that makes them feel uncomfortable or upset (and trust me—it will).

For more information about Mental Health Conditions. Visit our Mental Health Library page. To understand and cope with your psychological symptoms, get help from our Top 10 Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Therapists who are known for providing the best mental health treatment and psychiatry services. To book an appointment,Please call us at (800) 457-4573 or submit an appointment request.