Action Anxiety Day educates Canadians about anxiety, reduces stigma and builds awareness of resources and raise funds for programs addressing anxiety. Held annually on June 10, the day was founded by Anxiety Canada, a Vancouver-based organization whose mission is to reduce the barrier of anxiety and its related disorders so people can live the lives they want.

Action Anxiety Day’s organizers encourage participants to use the hashtag #ACTonAnxiety to share stories and promote the event. ACT stands for the following:

• Awareness: Raise awareness of anxiety and trusted, evidence-based resources.
• Colours: Wear blue and orange on June 10 to show support.
• Talking: Tell your anxiety stories and encourage others to share.

Anxiety Canada also offers several resources for promoting the day, including a social media guide and a toolkit for educators.

To learn more about preventing and treating anxiety in children and youth, see Vol. 10, No. 2 and Vol. 10, No. 3 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.