Anxiety Resources

Below is a curated list of free programs, websites, videos, and tools to help you and your family understand and manage anxiety.

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Free Programs & Support

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• Confident Parents: Thriving Kids – Anxiety
  [For Parents of Kids Ages 3–12]

  • A free, phone-based coaching program offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association (BC). It gives parents practical, everyday strategies to help their children manage mild-to-moderate anxiety.​

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• Mind Space Groups

       [For Teens 17.5+, Adults, & Caregivers]

• Virtual and in-person educational groups covering anxiety, depression, sleep issues (insomnia), ADHD, and parenting support.

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Websites & Organizations

 

• Anxiety Canada Resources: Even though Anxiety Canada is no longer operating as a national charity, here are some of their most helpful anxiety resources, including easy-to-use handouts, guides, and educational materials right here to help support your family.

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• EASE (Everyday Anxiety Strategies for Educators): 

  • For Educators: Classroom-ready, evidence-based tools to help B.C. students (Grades K–7) build resilience. Co-developed by Dr. Juliana, Anxiety Canada, and MCFD.

  • ​For Parents: Practical and easy-to-use home lessons to help your child manage worries.

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• Kelty Mental Health: A great provincial organization that helps families navigate the mental health system, offers peer support from other parents, and connects you to local resources.

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• Child Mind Institute: A leading independent website packed with highly readable, expert articles on childhood mental health and learning disorders.

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• Anxiety in the Classroom (By the International OCD Foundation): A specialized site offering tools to help students with anxiety and OCD succeed at school. Includes great guides on requesting school accommodations.

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• Anxiety and Depression Association of America: A trusted website offering research-backed strategies, articles, and tips for managing anxiety at home and school.

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• Teen Mental Health: An interactive website featuring fun animations, slideshows, and handouts designed to help teens easily understand mental health.

 

Quick Learning Videos & Guides

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1. Understanding Anxiety & the "Fight-Flight-Freeze" Response

• Video for young kids​

• Video for teens

• Video for adults

• Learning about anxiety in schools

• Information for children

• Information for youth​

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2. Facing Fears Step-by-Step (Exposures)

• How to Do Exposures: A step-by-step guide to helping your child face fears.

• Fear Ladders: Real-world examples of how to break big fears down into small, manageable steps.

• Maximizing Exposures: Article and interview on how to make exposure practice highly effective.

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3. Reducing "Family Accommodation" (Accidental Reinforcement)​

• The SPACE Program Guidebook: An evidence-based parent guide to help you stop accommodating your child's anxiety while remaining highly supportive.

• Handling Excessive Reassurance-Seeking: Practical strategies for when your child asks the same worrying questions repeatedly. 

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4. School Support & Stressful Events

• School Accommodations Podcast: Dr. Juliana discusses how to set up school supports for students with anxiety and OCD.

• The Vaccination CARD Toolkit: A science-based framework (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract) to help kids cope with stressful events like shots, tests, or presentations.

• School Refusal Webinar: Helpful tips for when a child is struggling to attend school due to anxiety.

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5. Brain Health & Stress

• The Teen Brain: A short video by Dr. Dan Siegel explaining how the teenage brain develops.

• How Stress Affects Your Brain: An easy-to-understand animated video.

• The Importance of Sleep: Why sleep is crucial for managing anxiety.

 

Resources for Specific Types of Anxiety

 

1. Selective Mutism (SM)

• Information Guides:

  • Selective Mutism Association 

  • Anxiety Canada

  • Child Mind Institute

• Free Training: Free Selective Mutism Training for Parents and Educators

• Free Coaching: Phone-based coaching for BC families with kids ages 3–12 experiencing mild symptoms.

• Play: SM Activities & Games

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2. Separation Anxiety Disorder

• Video for children and teens

• ​​Video for parents of kindergarteners

 

3. Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder

• What is Panic Disorder?

• 9 Easy Steps to Simulate the Sensation of Panic: A tool to help demystify and take the fear out of physical panic sensations.

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4. Social Anxiety Disorder

• Handling Criticism: Practical tips for navigating social fears and judgment.

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5. Specific Phobias (Intense Fears 

• General Phobia information

• Fear of vomiting:

  • Resource 1

  • Resource 2

• Fear of needles - resources

 

Recommended Books​

For Parents

• Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD: A Scientifically Proven Program for Parents by Eli Lebowitz 

• Freeing Your Child from Anxiety: Powerful, Practical Solutions to Overcome Your Child's Fears, Worries, and Phobias by Tamar E. Chansky

 

​For Kids:

• The Anxiety Workbook For Kids: Take Charge Of Fears And Worries Using The Gift Of Imagination by Robin Alter and Crystal Clarke

 

For Teens:​

• The Anxiety Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Deal with Anxiety and Worry by Lisa M. Schab

 

Recommended Apps

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• Smiling Mind [Free]: A fantastic, completely free mindfulness and meditation app with programs tailored for kids, teens, parents, and teachers. ​

• Headspace [Paid / Subscription]: A well-designed app that teaches meditation and mindful living for all ages.

• CALM [Paid / Subscription]: A popular app focused on meditation, relaxation, and improving sleep quality.