BRAVE is a simple anxiety coping framework for moments when fear feels loud or overwhelming. The printable poster breaks emotional regulation into five manageable actions: breathe, rate the fear, ask what is true, take a very small step, and encourage yourself. It is particularly suited to children, teenagers and young people who benefit from clear, visual reminders during anxious moments, as well as the adults supporting them.
At home, in a classroom, or during a counselling session, this BRAVE anxiety poster can give a child or teen a straightforward prompt for handling a spike in worry, panic or nervousness. Its five-letter coping strategy offers an accessible alternative to trying to explain complex feelings in the moment.
B stands for Breathe and invites the reader to take a slow breath in and an even slower breath out, without pressure to do it perfectly. R means Rate the Fear, using a 0 to 10 scale and the question of whether the feeling has passed before. These prompts can help make a strong feeling feel more measurable and temporary.
A, Ask What Is True, encourages fact-checking through questions such as “What do I know for sure?” and “What might worry be adding?” V stands for Very Small Step, asking for the tiniest brave action a person can take next. The emphasis is on gentle progress, with the reminder that one step counts.
E means Encourage Yourself, with self-kindness prompts including “What would I say to a friend?” The closing message explains that bravery does not require feeling fearless. School pastoral staff, parents, youth workers, therapists and children’s mental health practitioners may find it useful to print for calm corners, wellbeing folders, therapy rooms or anxiety support plans.
