What Parents Need to Know About Back to School & Mental Health

 

What Parents Need to Know About

Back to School and Mental Health

Starting a new school year is an exciting time but it can also be a stressful one. Preparing for a new grade level, new teacher, new classroom, and making new friends can cause feelings of anxiety and fear. As we begin the back-to-school season, our friends at the Partnership to End Addiction (drugfree.org) and Psych Hub (psychhub.com) remind us that it is important to pay attention to our children’s mental health as well as physical health.  Times of transition can be tricky for kids to navigate and cyberbullying, suicide, and self-harm could become a cause of concern as the school year begins, which often is connected to substance abuse.

Understand that transitional times are difficult at any age – watch for signs of distress in youth as they transition to a new grade, sport, or group of friends. You can help them manage stress by monitoring mood changes, sleep patterns, and watching for signs of isolation. Encourage healthy coping mechanisms such as maintaining a balance schedule that includes exercise, nutritious meals, and plenty of sleep, connecting to positive social supports, and modeling healthy ways to manage stress.

Know the signs of common mental health conditions – the most common mental health conditions in youth are anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression. General symptoms to be aware of include poor school performance or changes in school performance, persistent boredom, frequent physical ailments such as headaches, stomachaches, sleep issues, signs of regression like bed wetting, and even aggressive behaviors. Some great info about how to recognize common symptoms around anxiety, depression, and more can be found in Mental Health America’s Back-to-School Toolkit at https://www.mhanational.org/back-school

Learn how to start a conversation around mental health – understanding how to talk about mental health, just like talking about substance abuse, is one of the most important things you will do as a parent. Teens report that their parents are still the most important influence on their lives. When beginning conversations, it is important to speak from a place of empathy and express care. Use general language such as, “I am worried about you”, “I am here for you”, or “Can we talk about what is going on with you?” You want your child to know you are there for them every step of the way. Gentle approaches build trust with your child so they are more willing to open up about sensitive issues.

Understanding bullying and how you can help – bullying can take many forms and involve a lot of different actions. It is important to know that bullying behaviors can range from inappropriate jokes and teasing all the way up to physical violence. Youth may feel shame if they are being bullied and not always willing to share what is going on. This is why it’s more important than ever to keep the lines of communication open with your child. Discuss a proactive plan of who will do what to resolve the situation based on the severity of the bullying. Do not promise to keep bullying a secret though – your child’s safety is at risk and adult intervention including parent and teacher is almost always needed. Bullying can have long-term psychological and psycho-social impact on both the offender and the victim, so early intervention is important.

Be sure to check in and talk with your kids on a regular basis and best wishes for a safe, healthy, fun, and successful new school year!