The nation’s family psychologists are battling a potential epidemic: Call it “Kids’ Economic Stress Syndrome.”

Nationally and locally, psychologists and counselors are writing books and magazine articles, posting tips on the Internet and dealing with questions from increasing numbers of worried parents and teachers — all about how to deal with children’s anxieties over the ongoing recession.

A recent article from the American Psychological Association, headlined “Dollars and Sense: Talking to your Children about the Economy,” illustrates the trend. The article begins: “In this time of extreme economic stress, it is difficult to leave the problems of the economy off the kitchen table. Fears about mortgages, college tuition, retirement, and day-to-day expenses haunt the halls of many family homes. Children are no doubt noticing the increase stress of their parents … and may be experiencing their own stress as a result.”

Dr. Richard Lanham, a member of the Columbia-based Maryland Psychological Association’s Public Education Committee and author of a recent MPA article about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, says psychologists are worried.

“This economic downturn is affecting families from so many different angles,” says Lanham, a clinical psychologist. “We’re seeing this in our practices, and have been for the past year. And it’s heating up. Just in the past month, I’ve had two of my clients laid off.”

The advice from Lanham and others in the field is unvarying: Talk to the kids. Don’t scare them, don’t drag in unnecessary financial details, but — especially if they ask — talk to them about the economy and your family’s situation.

Here’s Lanham’s suggestion: Call a family meeting (like many family therapists, he’s big on regular family meetings) and tell the children that, as they’ve probably heard, the economy is in bad shape and a lot of people are hurting. Break whatever bad news you have (Mom’s been laid off, you have to sell the house, you have to cut back on extras like movies or new clothes). Tell the kids that steps can and will be taken to make things better, even by them (older children, for example, can get a part-time job). And finally, reassure the children that their needs will always be met and no matter what changes lie ahead, your home is much more than the physical building, it’s the family, and the family will deal with this together.

“Take a positive outlook,” Lanham says. “Tragedizing doesn’t help parents and it doesn’t help kids.”

Dr. Melissa Wilkins, a Columbia therapist who works with parents and children, says parents need to deal with their own anxieties before they talk to their children.

“They should clarify their own feelings, make sure they know what they want to say,” she says. “It’s important not to burden kids with your own anxieties.”

That said, she adds, the kids need to be told.

“Nothing stays hidden from kids,” she explains. “They pick up vibes — they’ll sense any depression and anxiety.” Have the conversation, she says, but focus on the positive and what action will be taken. “Talking helps them understand, if it’s presented in a straightforward, positive way.

“Anything parents can do to bring the kids in to help out is good,” Wilkins adds. “For some, it’s not buying a $500 prom dress, but buying a $200 dress instead. However you talk to them, figure out how they can help.”

Dr. Cynthia Schulmeyer, coordinator for school psychologists for the Howard County Public Schools, agrees that reassuring children is pivotal. Schulmeyer, who says her school psychologists are fielding more and more requests to talk to students about the economy, says parents need to let their children know that they will be there for them, no matter what happens.

“Try to keep things as normal and as routine as possible,” she adds. “Kids do best when you keep a normal routine. Try to avoid surprises.”

While talking to your children about the economy is essential, so is listening, Schulmeyer says. “Give your kids the opportunity to talk,” she says. “No matter what their age, they need the opportunity to share their thoughts, share their feelings.” That someone, she adds, doesn’t have to be mom or dad. It could be a school counselor or trusted adult.

As important as talking to the children is, Schulmeyer says, full disclosure is not necessary, especially with the younger children. “Things like details about finances — that’s an adult conversation,” she says.

Robin Charity is no psychologist, but as the parent of a 13-year-old and veteran of the slumping economy wars — she has been laid off from three high-powered jobs in the past half-dozen years — she knows all about talking to your children about the economy.

Charity, 48, is the first to admit that others have suffered far more than she and her daughter. They still live in the spacious townhouse she bought shortly before one of her layoffs in the tony Maple Lawn development in Fulton. (”We each have our own floor,” she says with a laugh.) Between full-time jobs, she has managed to earn a decent income as consultant, life coach and substitute teacher.

Still, Charity, who is divorced, has had to cut back, and her daughter has felt the pinch. They go to fewer movies and eat out less often. Her daughter is holding bake sales to pay for a new horse trailer.

And as for her future education: “We used to talk about MIT. Now, I’m trying to figure out how to pay for Howard Community College.”

Charity says she and her daughter, Alexandra, have had “ongoing” talks about their ever-changing financial situation over the past several years. “Boy, do we talk about it,” she says. “I’m very realistic, and talk directly about anything with my daughter.”

“The biggest thing has been helping her to understand that we can’t do all the things we used to do — whatever we wanted to do without even thinking about it,” Charity says. “Everything is more calculated now.”

Though she knows others are in far worse straits than her, the past few years have not always been easy for Charity, as a wage earner and as a mother. “I want to set a good example for her, but sometimes it’s hard to keep a smile on your face,” says Charity. “She sees that I am not the powerhouse career woman I was for the first eight years of her life. She senses the discontent. … She sees me depressed. I’m a little more short-tempered with her.”

Charity describes the change in her financial situation as “not really a sad story, maybe more a realistic story,” and says she sees signs that the economic crisis is something of a blessing in disguise. In her neighborhood, she says, some families are drawing closer, and looking out for each other.

That’s the sort of observation the psychologists applaud. Lanham says parents can make “lemonade out of lemons” by seizing the opportunity of the economic downturn to teach children that they can do something to help, whether themselves or others. Volunteering to work in a food bank or giving groceries to those less fortunate — that sort of thing, he says, builds self-esteem, makes a child feel useful and alleviates anxiety.

Just as important is the realization that your children are not as fragile as you might think.

“The good news is, kids are more adaptable than we are,” Schulmeyer says. “If we explain what, where and how, they’re willing and able to adapt.”