A FATHER-DAUGHTER team have produced a series of videos focused on reducing anxiety in children throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Stuart Thompson, 43, runs the STILL Method, which trains people to become anxiety coaches and delivers workshops for adults and children.

With the lockdown conditions weighing heavy on people’s minds and bringing fear to the forefront, Stuart realised the need for guidance on how to handle anxiety.

Stuart has spent 20 years specialising in anxiety, starting a career as a social worker before becoming a therapist.

Where once he would typically help adults, he has seen a shift in demand to children which has only risen with the current conditions.

“Six years ago I had a moment when I realised I was seeing many more children than adults,” he said.

“They were ten per cent of the work, but it is closer to 70-80 per cent now.

“They are in a perfect storm, life has gotten harder for parents, life has gotten harder for children.

“A lot more is expected of children, they are expected to do a lot more and are exposed to more information.

“Children tend to lose the ability to mix successfully outside of school. They suffer from a lack of connection and a lack of significant relationships.

“Social media provides a false sense of connection and makes them less inclined to contact people.

“People contact families less and are more likely to send an emoji or a quick message.

“They have access to knowledge without the depth that comes with it.”

Together with daughter Felicity, eight, Stuart has shared a series of videos on anxiety, which have been viewed more than 10,000 times.

They include tips for parents on navigating anxiety amidst the coronavirus crisis.

“Children are being exposed to words like “death” and “hospital” much more frequently, and these kind of words don’t always mean the same thing to children as they do to adults,” said Stuart.

“They might be talking about death, but the context isn’t there.

“As parents we shouldn’t be too shocked by our children asking these questions.

“The number one tip to stick to is routine, if your children get up at 7am for school, then get up at 7am - that routine means more to children than anything else - things being normal.

“With mum and dad not going to work it feels abnormal.

“The other thing to remember is children adjust really quickly and accept change more quickly.”

Stuart draws from his own experiences dealing with fear.

He has Brittle Bone Disease, and estimates he has broken every bone in his body throughout his life.

“As disabled person I have learned you have to face your fears, and face what is in front of you,” he said.

“It has given me the advantage of understanding what it feels like to have a challenge and overcome it rather than hide from it.

“It is the hardest thing in the world, but if you can do it, it’s the most empowering thing in the world.”

Above all else, it is important to remember humans are social animals.

We are used to interacting, to venturing out into the world, to breathing in fresh air.

“It is contrary to what you normally see – if we feel anxious we go out, we talk to people, we exercise,” said Stuart.

“We are monkeys at the end of the day, and do really well getting out of the house and mixing with other monkeys. Society is our natural state and we are naturally more anxious when confined to the indoors.”