WALKING ALONGSIDE YOUTH - AN ONLINE ANXIETY COURSE
Session 2 Summary
Four Relational, Culturally Safe Approaches
Session 2 introduced the basic relational needs that must be met for youth to flourish, and the notion of anxiety as a symptom of unmet relational needs. The essential relational needs of all youth that should be provided within the cultural context of a particular family’s or community’s traditions are:
- Physical closeness
- Sameness
- Belonging and loyalty
- Significance
- Love
- Being known and understood
Four relational approaches to supporting youth with anxiety are:
- Honouring a youth’s identity, experiences and family traditions
- Nourishing anxious youth through relationship
- Reducing alarming and anxiety-producing situations for youth
- Restoring a youth’s internal sense of balance and resilience
HONOUR
youth’s identity, experiences and family traditions
NOURISH
youth in care to meet their emotional and relational needs
REDUCE
experiences that fuel anxiety
RESTORE
conditions that lead to wellness, resilience and growth
The session also provided Indigenous perspectives on caring for youth with anxiety.