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Parents and caregivers to embark on a five-week, free, online opportunity to gain knowledge about available supports and assistance involving the management of, and challenges surrounding anxiety and anxiety disorders.
The program begins Feb. 6 via Telehealth Zoom and runs until March 6. The two-hour sessions go from 4 to 6 p.m.
Community Support professionals Sarah Swinamer and Vicki Zinck, who work out of the Dawson Centre in Bridgewater, lead the “Helping Your Anxious Child” sessions. Those with lived and living experience to the common mental health challenge are encouraged to take part. While the focus is on children under the age of 12, the tools shared may be helpful to anyone across the lifespan.
Zinck and Swinamer will explore an array of topics, such as relaxation strategies, confronting fears, acknowledging accomplishments and other steps designed to benefit one’s overall lifestyle and wellbeing.
As more information and research is released and evolves, the more opportunities there are to share amongst the group, Zinck said.
“The numbers have changed,” added Swinamer. “It used to be one in four people had anxiety but it’s more than that.”
“Part of it is also because it is being talked about more, people are open to talking about it more - and stigma is being decreased. We’re trying to break down the barriers.”
The provincially run program in Lunenburg County builds on the success of a similar program in the Annapolis Valley. The South Shore sessions have been ongoing for years. While the psycho-educational series is geared towards children and their parents, professionals from outside agencies and organizations are also accessing the program as well for tools to help the children they work with. There is a big demand for these services, Zinck said.
“Between us and the Annapolis Valley, we run these sessions usually three times per year,” added Zinck.
On average, about 30 participants log on to these educational opportunities. Those who take part virtually are not necessarily from the local area. Swinamer said interest can range from communities in Cape Breton across to Yarmouth County.
“The notices are posted in schools, daycares and on social media, so, there’s lots of reach,” Swinamer added.
The more information provided, the better equipped caregivers and parents are to effectively manage their own struggles with anxiety and/or those of their child.
“We give them tools and it’s really effective because we make it a group discussion and some of the parents feed off of that and take advice from others, in addition to what we offer,” said Zinck.
“We lay a base and build up to where we believe participants need to be; better able to take steps along the way,” Zinck continued.
“At the first of the session we ask participants questions about what we discussed in the earlier one. Sometimes it’s about the “homework” we assigned, and we have a good discussion.”
For more information or to register for an upcoming session, please contact Sarah Swinamer at Sarah.Swinamer@nshealth.ca or Vicki Zinck at Vicki.Zinck@nshealth.ca or by calling the Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Intake line at 1-855-922-1122 or calling Outpatient Mental Health and Addictions at the Dawson Centre in Bridgewater at 902-543-5400.
Photo of (L-R) Vicki Zinck and Sarah Swinamer.