Popular author and speaker Jenny Allen is highlighting a new kind of pandemic—anxiety—rather than illness, particularly affecting young people in distressing ways. Known for her book Please Come Out of Your Head and her involvement in organizing 25 conferences, she recently launched her first children’s book, What to Do with Your Swirl Thoughts. This book aims to tackle anxiety and mental health in an accessible way for kids, illustrated by Nadia Gunawan.
Allen describes this anxiety pandemic as something that "has taken over the world." She feels deeply for kids, including her own and those of friends. “Watching my kids or my friends’ children struggles with these thoughts really breaks my heart,” she shared.
Her 2020 book addressed anxiety for adults, discussing how to manage thoughts in a Christian context, referencing passages like 2 Corinthians 10:5. The new children’s book, in a sense, simplifies these concepts for younger audiences.
"It’s heartbreaking to think about children dealing with feelings they can’t quite articulate—like suicidal thoughts or bullying," Allen reflected. She wants this book to spark meaningful conversations between parents and kids at an earlier age.
Recalling her own journey, she said, “In my twenties, I realized I could control my thoughts.” Her hope is to foster quicker discussions so children don’t feel isolated with their spiraling ideas.
Parents might also find value in the book. One parent even mentioned how emotional they felt while reading it, suggesting that it offers comforting truths about how God can help us manage our thoughts.
The book gives kids actionable advice, encouraging them to communicate with God and others, express gratitude, and stay active.
Allen believes that technology plays a significant role in the anxiety crisis today. "Isolation, I think, is really driven by tech. The way we can get anything online, the feeling of being connected but actually being alone—it’s alarming," she explained.
In her own family, she chose to delay giving her kids phones compared to their friends. “It’s okay to say no. My kids were the last to get phones or social media, and today, they appreciate that choice,” she noted, emphasizing that opting out of the overwhelming tech culture can lead to a richer life.
Ultimately, it seems like Allen is advocating for more thoughtful conversations around mental health, especially for children, as they navigate these challenging times.
