Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions.
– Hafez

“Every morning brings a new headline, a fresh worry, and a creeping sense that the world is shifting beneath our feet,” writes Whitney Coulson, LCSW, in a September, 2025 Psychology Today online article called “America the Anxious.” “From rising costs and social tension to 24/7 new cycles that never rest, Americans are feeling it in our cores: Anxiety has become a part of our daily lives. More than half of adults report clinical levels of anxiety, and more than half report feeling more anxious now than they did a year ago. One in five adults is living with a diagnosed anxiety disorder. Across the country, millions struggle with restless nights, racing thoughts, and a deep feeling of unease. We are among the most anxious human beings on the planet, a quiet reflection of the times we are living in.”

And Americans are not alone. A WHO online article states, “More than 1 billion people are living with mental health disorders, according to new data released by the World Health Organization (WHO), with conditions such as anxiety and depression inflicting immense human and economic tolls.”

So, what can be done, and what implications do these finding have for the early care and education field?

The Devereaux  Center for Resilient Children, in an online article by Rudee Robertson, offers ways educators can help families with anxiety, and families, in turn, can be encouragers of educators. Following are just a few examples.

“Educators can:

• Connect families with community resources, support groups, and mental health services when needed. Teachers can serve as a bridge to these supports, reducing isolation and stress for families.
• Encourage families to build their own support networks, both within the program/school community and beyond, to strengthen their resilience during difficult times.

“Educators and families together can:

• Encourage a growth mindset…Reinforce the value of effort, perseverance, and learning from mistakes, both in the classroom/care setting and in communication with families. This helps families adopt a growth mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.
• Collaborate as co-teachers, [with educators recognizing families’] expertise and insights into their children, and working together to support child and family well-being.

And for those feeling overloaded with the weight of supporting others in this challenging time, the Exchange Reflections, “Compassion Fatigue” has been designed to provide helpful suggestions to discuss. (See below)