Bridge Over Worried Waters

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem during childhood and adolescence. It is estimated that approximately 13% of children and adolescents ages 9 to 17 experience some kind of anxiety disorder. Anxiety affects normal day-to-day activities and causes considerable emotional and physical distress as well as impaired academic and social functioning.

The recommended treatment approach for anxiety is overwhelmingly Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). CBT helps children learn to handle their fears and worries by modifying the ways they think and behave. Techniques included in CBT are relaxation, positive self-talk, and coping behaviors. Bridge Over Worried Waters is essentially a CBT program in a box that incorporates all of these techniques.

Learning Objectives - Players will:

• Better understand situations that trigger anxious feelings
• Learn a variety of cognitive (self-talk) strategies to decrease anxious feelings
• Learn a variety of behavioral (relaxation and activities) to decrease anxious feelings
• Develop improved emotional competence
• Improve self-esteem and self-mastery as a result of increased emotional competence