Southern NSW Medicare Local psychology intern Natasha Adam is running Cool Kids with psychologist and school counsellor Steve Perry, with the aim of teaching eligible children aged eight to 12 the skills they need to help manage their own anxiety. 

Ms Adam says early intervention is important for preventing issues such as anxiety progressing with children into teenage years and even adulthood.

“Parents and teachers are the best placed to identify when a child is struggling with anxiety and there are all kinds of symptoms,” she said. 

“Issues such as self-esteem and confidence, fears and phobias, bullying and poor social skills, school refusal or sleeping problems, as well as separation issues and perfectionism can all point to anxiety. 

“Cool Kids teaches children and their parents strategies for managing anxiety and building social skills and assertiveness.”

“More than 20 children in the Eurobodalla have bene-

fited from Cool Kids already following programs in Broulee and Batemans Bay primary schools last year,” Ms Adam said. 

“Working with school counsellors has been great because they can assist with screening students for eligibility and running the program. Afterwards they are a familiar face so children know where they can go for help if they need it.”

Cool Kids is free for eligible children and runs during class time once a week over 10 weeks. 

The Southern NSW Medicare Local plans to run more Cool Kids programs in the Eurobodalla this year and will be contacting schools shortly.