Understanding the challenges your child or teen might experience and strategies for supporting their mental health.
Anxiety is a normal part of life, but when your child feels it, it can seem scary and confusing. Listen to Karen Young on why anxiety shows up and how seeing it differently can help your child feel braver and more in control.
Children often react strongly to situations because of the story their brain creates about what’s happening. Karen Young shares how supporting your child to change that story can help them stay calmer and cope better when anxiety hits.
Anxiety can feel the same whether something is truly unsafe or, simply new or challenging. Here are the two simple questions that you can use to guide your children in understanding whether something is truly unsafe and how to take their next brave step.
Anxiety is your child’s fierce, fast safety system – not a flaw. In So, what is anxiety really? Learn the the body‑brain science in child‑friendly language which you can use in conversation with your child to help them turn frightening sensations into signals they can understand and better manage.
Some of the most loving responses offered by parents to their children, such as rescuing, reassuring, avoiding, can quietly grow anxiety. In this webinar, find helpful responses that nurture gentle leadership, provide steady support and small, repeated steps that teach your child’s brain, “I can do this.”
Your child’s distress can ignite yours, and accommodations that ease the immediate impact for your child can keep their anxiety big, longer term. Learn how to break the anxiety cycle with calm co‑regulation, so your child can build bravery at a sustainable pace.
When school feels “not safe enough” for your child their behavior isn’t defiance, it’s a nervous system in overload. Build a clear script and step-by-step approach that you can follow to hold connection with your child and help them take steps toward school – even with big feelings.
Separation anxiety is a sign of attachment doing its job; the work is helping your child feel safe when you must leave. Find ideas for quick goodbyes, confident handovers and connection rituals that ease the parting separation for your child and, supports their settling.
Children read your belief as their barometer: if you trust they’re safe and capable, they’re more likely to act brave. Build your child's internal "I can do hard things" dialogue with these simple steps.
Strong, steady breathing calms the amygdala, but it often fails in the heat of big feelings unless it’s been practised when calm. Follow this child-friendly guide full of co‑regulation strategies so your child (and you) can reliably find calm when anxiety is loud.
Rhythm, movement, gut health, mindfulness and sleep quietly strengthen a child’s nervous system. Create repeatable habits that build steadiness and resilience, so your child feels stronger, safer and more settled over time.
If anxiety is making your child’s world smaller – stealing sleep, school, friendships or joy – it may be time to add support. Learn the signs to watch for and how to introduce professional help in a way that feels empowering, respectful and strengthening for your whole family.
Depression can feel frightening and confusing, but a new understanding offers clarity, compassion, and hope for families supporting young people. Hear how depression in children and teens is not a failure or breakage, but a protective nervous system response that signals a need for safety, patience, and steady connection.
When anxiety makes school feel overwhelming for a child, parents are often torn between protecting them from distress and helping them grow. Explore how anxiety can increase when children are shielded from discomfort, and why learning to move through anxiety is essential for healthy development. Find ways to change from trying to remove anxiety to building a child’s capacity to handle it.
When your child or teen seems withdrawn or flat, it can be hard to know how to help without pushing too hard or pulling away. Learn practical, science informed ways parents can create safety, strengthen connection, and gently support children and teens through low mood and withdrawal.
Depression in young people is often quieter than we expect, and knowing what to look for can make all the difference. Understand the subtle, persistent changes that may signal symptoms of depression in children and teens, helping you trust your instincts and know when to access extra support.
If your child is experiencing depression, there are times when love and support at home are not enough on their own, and reaching out for help becomes an important next step. Recognise when professional support may be needed for children and teens, and find practical guidance on how to introduce extra help with reassurance, choice, and care.
When learning feels hard and setbacks shake confidence, many parents wonder how to help their child or teen stay motivated and resilient at school. Learn about the growth mindset to support learning, resilience, and academic confidence for children and teens.
When your child or teen wants to give up and says “it’s too hard,” it can leave you wondering how to help them keep going without pushing too far. Understand what resilience really is, how it differs from persistence, and how to support young people through challenges in healthy, constructive ways.
Comparison can quietly undermine confidence, leaving children and teens feeling as though they are never quite good enough in a world of constant measuring and judging. Explore why comparison culture is so damaging for children and teens, and learn how you can help young people develop a strong sense of identity, connection, and capability.
When anxiety makes school feel overwhelming for a child, parents are often torn between protecting them from distress and helping them grow. Explore how anxiety can increase when children are shielded from discomfort, and why learning to move through anxiety is essential for healthy development. Find ways to change from trying to remove anxiety to building a child’s capacity to handle it.
By Shona Innes & Írisz Agócs
This book helps children understand anger as a feeling that shows up when they are hurt, scared or overwhelmed. Using simple language and gentle illustrations, it supports parents and children to talk about what anger feels like, why it shows up, and how it can be expressed safely. It is especially helpful for opening calm conversations after big emotional moments. It is best suited for children ages 4-8 years.
By Dr Amber Thornton
This evidence‑informed book focuses on the role of the parent’s own emotional regulation as the foundation for helping children regulate theirs. It helps parents recognise triggers, break cycles of escalation, and build calmer responses during emotionally charged moments.
Best suited to parents of children and teens, particularly those feeling overwhelmed by repeated emotional or behavioural challenges.
By Orlanda Bettison
The My Brain series helps children understand what is happening in their brain when they experience big emotions. Using simple explanations and friendly characters, these books introduce ideas about how the brain works, why strong feelings show up, and what can help when emotions feel overwhelming. Parents can expect clear, practical strategies that support emotional regulation, mindfulness, and coping skills, making the books especially helpful for shared reading and conversation.
The series is often valued by parents and educators for children who like to know why they feel the way they do, or who benefit from concrete tools rather than reassurance alone. The series is best suited to children ages 5–12 years, with support and discussion from a trusted adult.
WellMob brings together online resources made by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. On the site, you will find websites, apps, podcasts, videos, helplines, social media and online programs all with a focus on social and emotional wellbeing.
Parenting is full of ups and downs. Sometimes it can feel like guesswork when it comes to improving behaviour and strengthening your relationship with your child. This free, self-paced program is designed for parents and carers of children under the age of 12 and will empower you with proven strategies to confidently tackle any challenges that come your way, at every age and stage. From dealing with tantrums, building social skills, boosting cooperation, listening, self-regulation, and more. This isn’t a rulebook – it’s a toolkit to help you feel calmer, solve problems before they get bigger and support your child to reach their full potential.
By Nadia Rossi
This episode explores the growing impact of loneliness on children and young people, drawing on Australian research and insights from mental‑health professionals. It helps parents understand how loneliness can show up as mood changes, withdrawal, anxiety or behaviour challenges, particularly during times of transition. Parents are guided to recognise warning signs and consider practical, compassionate ways to support connection, belonging and emotional wellbeing at home and in partnership with schools.
This podcast episode is most recommended for parents and carers of primary‑aged children and adolescents, especially where social connection or wellbeing is a concern.
Guiding children and teens to build positive relationships and respond to social challenges.
Parenting brings many moments that matter. Some are joyful, some are challenging, and many can leave us wondering what to do next.
Understanding why children and teens experience big emotions and how you can help create calm and connection.
Strong emotions are a natural part of growing up, for children and for teens. When big feelings lead to challenging behaviour, it can feel confusing and exhausting for families. Children and adolescents are still developing the skills to recognise, manage and express emotions, and behaviour is often a sign of stress, overwhelm or unmet needs.
The advice provided on this site and contained within the resources relates to general wellbeing information only and should not be considered medical, psychological, or professional advice. It doesn’t take into account your family’s individual circumstances.
Furthermore, links to external websites are provided for your convenience and to access credible, evidence-based information. Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle does not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, or completeness of information on these external sites.
For personalised support, please consult a qualified health professional.
If you or your child are in immediate danger, call 000.
For 24/7 support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
