Anxiety Edition

This edition of The Bridge covers the topic of anxiety. Owing to anxiety being common, with all of us experiencing a state of anxiety at some time and many also having trait anxiety, it is no surprise that ACAMH’s two main academic outputs the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Mental Health contain some good quality research on anxiety advancing our knowledge of the science and evidence-based practice.

In recent years there has been a particular focus on anxiety in Children and Young People with Children’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies having a CBT training scheme and the Government’s (England) Green paper on Education and Mental Health concentrating on providing input into schools concentrating on lower level depression and anxiety. NICE also has guidance on certain anxiety types. Of course, there are many types of anxiety disorders from Generalised, OCD, PTSD, phobias and specific ones that appear to be linked to other conditions e.g. transition anxiety in ASD. It is important that we understand what works for whom and that one size will not fit all. The advancement of science in this area and then the putting of this evidence base into practice is paramount to meet the needs of children and young people with anxiety. Otherwise, we just end up with adults with anxiety and the longer term effects of this on individuals and society.

ACAMH also has essentials training courses in anxiety and anxiety in its many types regularly features within the events calendar throughout ACAMH’s footprint (UK, EIRE and Malta). Earlier, in 2018, an Anxiety Disorder Topic Guide was also added to the website.

In this edition there are journal article summaries with a new format highlighting ACAMH’s new touchstones where relevant;

1. policy
2. clinical practice
3. schools and education practice
4. service development
5. gaps and recommendations for further science.

By focussing on these, ACAMH is striving to create information streams that are of relevance.

The Bridge has changed much over the years in style and content and under the steer of Juliette Kennedy (The Bridge editor), has moved into the modern digital age and with a new publication team behind The Bridge has become a monthly feature, having previously been published 3 to 4 times a year. I am honoured to return as a Guest Editor and hope that I can do it justice over the next few months. If you have any ideas for content or feedback on the bridge whilst I am acting as Guest Editor, please email me.

Please feel free to share The Bridge Anxiety Edition and the direct links below with colleagues. I hope you enjoy reading this edition of The Bridge and more themed versions will be published each month in 2019.