Bringing awareness to children's mental health issues

My name is Dreydon Sobanja and through my organisation Inspired Kids I self-publish children's books that encourage kids to 'dream big'.

In most of my recent visits to schools I have noticed significantly increased levels of anxiety in children and in classrooms as a whole.

I have decided to undertake a nationwide motorhome tour – branded the Inspirational Kiwis Roadshow – visiting at least 100 schools, libraries and bookstores across a five-month period.

I will be inspiring and educating children and bringing public awareness of children’s mental health issues.

I have chosen to raise funds for Anxiety New Zealand because they have offered an excellent service to all sufferers of anxiety for over 40 years, and I believe our Kiwi kids need them more than ever.

No portion of the donations will be used to fund the tour, which is paid for by schools, libraries and the support of Read NZ Te Pou Muramura's Writers in Schools program.

If you are supporting an anxious child, these resources can be helpful:

Support for parents and caregivers https://www.anxiety.org.nz/support-parents-caregivers

Info about Anxiety NZ's Helpline - 0800 269 4389 - https://www.anxiety.org.nz/helpline

Sign up to Anxiety NZ's newsletter to receive useful updates, news, event alerts, resources and tips for dealing with anxiety http://eepurl.com/bbUYHX

Blog post Supporting anxious kids: Advice for parents and caregivers https://www.anxiety.org.nz/post/supporting-anxious-kids-advice-for-parents-and-caregivers