HealthInfo Canterbury

Anxiety in youth & teens

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• BRAVE programmes for children and teenagers.

  BRAVE is an internet-based programme for children and teenagers with anxiety. Developed at the University of Queensland, it has been trialled in Christchurch and found to be useful for anxiety. Speak to your GP or practice nurse for more information about being referred to BRAVE.

• Community Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS)

  CYMHS is free for youths aged 13 to 18 who may have mental health or alcohol and drug issues. The service provides short-term intervention, which includes assessment, treatment and support. It also coordinates and supports youth and their families or referrer to get longer term treatment if needed. Young people can refer themselves to the service. A GP, counsellor, teacher or parent can also refer them. This can be by phone or using the online referral form. CYMHS can also provide information about other services and treatment available in the community.

• Mental Health Advocacy and Peer Support (MHAPS)

  MHAPS provides a service called ps.Youth that offers free one-on-one peer support for teenagers with mental illness. Youthful peer support workers who understand what it is like to struggle with mental illness are trained to support young people who are going through mental distress. Phone (03) 365-9479.

• Anxiety UK – Young people and anxiety

  Information specifically for younger people.

• The Lowdown – Understanding anxiety

  Information written for young people and teens.

• Common Ground

  A website that aims to ensure parents, families, whānau and friends of young people have easy access to information that will help them support young people to manage hard times, and enjoy positive mental health and wellbeing.

• Ask Aunty Dee

  Aunty Dee can help you solve problems with issues like bullying, depression, drinking, grief and sex. The website is designed for young Pacific people, but it can help all young people.

• HeadMeds.org.uk

  If you are prescribed medication, you can go to this site for information about common medications, including what they are used for and what their side effects are.

• Smiling Mind

  A free mindfulness meditation developed especially for young people. It's available as a web-based program or an app.

• This Way Up

  An Australian website with a range of online courses to improve mental wellbeing. Some introductory courses are free but most courses cost around A$65. Your GP must first register as a prescriber. They can then email a prescription to you, so you can register for a course.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed February 2017. Last updated October 2018.

Page reference: 53690

Review key: HIAXY-53690