Of the estimated 1.3 million adult Australians who will suffer from an anxiety disorder this year, about half may have experienced their first symptoms by the age of 11. Untreated childhood anxiety disorder is a risk factor for the later development of clinical depression, with the symptoms of both disorders leading to a higher risk of suicide.
Childhood anxiety disorder is readily treatable. In fact, Australia leads the world in evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programs for childhood anxiety. Yet not enough children are getting the early help they need.
Appropriate evidence-based childhood anxiety treatment programs need to be included in regional mental health wellbeing and self-harm reduction plans. One such program, designed by leading clinical psychologists from Griffith University, is the Take Action program, now widely available through its publication by specialist psychology resource provider Australian Academic Press.
Used in over 500 schools, clinics and practices around Australia, Take Action is an easy-to-follow, flexible, and robustly effective child anxiety treatment for children aged 5-11. It does not require expensive training or commitment to large purchases of books. For an investment of just $85, a practitioner has the tools to immediately help up to 8 children at a time.
The program was developed to enable psychologists, skilled guidance counsellors or other qualified CBT practitioners to conduct a reliable treatment regime of up to 10 sessions for child anxiety disorder in their own practice, at a school, on a one-to-one basis, or in small groups. The program can be adapted to fit various requirements by reducing sessions, combining sessions, or using a single session as a standalone guide to teach specific skills.
The manualised guide to the program includes six treatment modules as well as 124 photocopiable child and parent handouts, extensive background information on the integrative framework behind the program, and what the latest research tells us about the causes and maintenance of childhood anxiety disorders including brain structure, neuroimaging and neurochemical studies. An assessment section with useful information on a range of measures is also included.
For further information on the program (including research studies), visit www.takeactionprogram.com. For further information on Australian Academic Press go to www.australianacademicpress.com.au.