Anxiety the leading mental health issue among Canadian children

Anxiety has been called the most prevalentmental health issueamongCanadian children, according tothe Public Health Agency of Canada.

Sara Dimerman, a Toronto-based psychologist,said her practice hasseen asurge of anxiety in children in recent years and believes there are many contributing factors.

"Unlike when we were growing up, children are bombarded with second-by-second real time news events that are often catastrophic, and it's really hard to protect them from the information and images when social media is all about that," saidDimerman.

School policies like fire drills and code red drillscould also be contributing to the anxiety and the idea that the world is dangerous.

Another factor, according toDimermanis societal pressure and children growing up faster than they should.

Children are growing up at an increasingly quicker rate than ever before.- SaraDimerman

"Children are growing up at an increasingly quicker rate than ever before. Twelve-year-olds,for example, are engaging in activities morelike that of 16-year-olds would when we were growing up," saidDimerman.

She said thatchildren are not able to emotionally handle the shrinking years of childhood.

Children engaging in activities that are beyond their years or social skillscan lead to mental health issues such as anxietyand panic attacks.

"I think parents play a crucial role in helping children feel more or less anxious," said Dimerman.

If you are a parent that has an anxious child,Dimerman believes that recognizing yourchild'sfears and talking to them about itis animportant first step.

She also recommends not watching violent news around children, or leaving a 24-hour news channel on.