
Anxiety can affect anyone, even kids.
Anxiety isn’t just something adults face: It can affect children of all ages. Here are 5 tips to help you nurture your child’s mental health:
Talk about it
Dr. Joey Korah, pediatrician at Akron Children’s Pediatrics in Mayfield Heights, recommends starting mental health conversations early and keeping them going. “More people are discussing mental health in general, especially celebrities, so it’s not as much of a taboo subject as in years past,” Dr. Korah said. “These conversations can start from Day 1, as parents comfort their kids and help them learn coping skills at an early age.”
Talks with your child do not have to focus on the negative aspects of mental health. “Just as we talk about exercise as being good for the body, it’s just as important to figure out good ways to handle stress and conflict,” Dr. Korah shared.

Dr. Joey Korah, pediatrician at Akron Children’s Pediatrics in Mayfield Heights
Look for warning signs
Post-traumatic stress disorder can happen and show up at any age. “If your child goes from hanging out and having a lot of friends to a homebody who doesn’t engage with others, there is a cause for alarm,” Dr. Korah said. “If your child went from getting A’s in school to D’s, then that is a huge red flag.”
Anxious or depressed kids can also have physical symptoms including frequent headaches, stomachaches and nausea.
Seek help sooner rather than later
If you have concerns about your child’s mental health, the pediatrician’s office is a good place to start. “It can be hard for a parent to tell what is normal, abnormal or concerning,” Dr. Korah shared. “Children as young as 3 can have depression. The older kids get, especially when they reach elementary school, the easier anxiety is to diagnose.
“The mental health landscape changes so much as kids age. Your child’s pediatrician can help you figure out what help may be needed and when.”
Eat and sleep well
Physical health plays a key role in mental health. Ensure your children eat a variety of healthy foods and snacks, limit sugary drinks and drink plenty of water. Sleep is important, too. Kids should turn off their devices at least an hour before bedtime, get up and go to bed at the same time each day, and establish a nighttime routine.
Read books about anxiety
Through the Smucker’s Berry Good Reading program, Akron Children’s Pediatrics patients aged 6 months to 5 years old get new books at wellness visits. “We have books for patients of different ages, and some books deal with anxiety,” Dr. Korah said. “I’ve only gotten smiles from struggling kids when I give them one of these books.”

Reading together helps parent-child bonding – and books are available for kids of all ages who struggle with anxiety.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends these anxiety-related books for children and adolescents:
- “When My Worries Get Too Big! A Relaxation Book for Children Who Live With Anxiety” by Kari Dunn Buron
- “Wilma Jean the Worry Machine” by Julia Cook
- “Outsmarting Worry: An Older Kids’ Guide to Managing Anxiety” by Dawn Huebner
- “Hey Warrior!” By Karen Young
- “David and the Worry Beast” by Anne Marie Guanci
- “Wemberley Worried” by Kevin Henkes
- “Anxiety Sucks! A Teen Survival Guide” by Natasha Daniels
“No one knows your child better than you do, but there’s only so much within your control,” Dr. Korah said. “It’s important to be proactive and work with a professional – instead of leaving your kids to potentially troublesome devices including social media or self-medication.”
If your child is struggling with anxiety or depression, talk to your pediatrician or call the Lois and John Orr Family Behavioral Health Center at 330-543-5015. If your child is in crisis, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.