Prioritizing your child’s mental health for a new school year
A new school year can mean a lot of preparation. After helping to ensure your student has the right notebooks, folders, pens and pencils, there may be something even more important to check off your list — making sure your child is emotionally prepared for a new school year.
A new school year can be exciting, but it may also bring feelings of stress and anxiety.
Mental health challenges affect many young people today. This is especially true for teen girls. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),1 girls between the ages of 14 and 18 in the United States reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless at twice the rate of boys. Nearly 1 in 3 girls in the study said they seriously considered attempting suicide, a figure that has risen nearly 60% in the last decade.
Social media use may exacerbate these issues. One study found that teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media platforms may face twice the risk2 of mental health issues, including symptoms of depression and anxiety.
How do you gauge how your child is feeling?
Keep an eye on their behaviors and moods. A check-in with their doctor may also be helpful.
“You think of your child’s annual checkup for things like sports participation and childhood immunizations, but it’s also a good place to check in on their mental health,” said Rhonda Randall, D.O., chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare. “Getting advice from your primary care physician early may help prevent problems from worsening later in the school year.”
Dr. Randall says an annual well-child visit is an opportunity for a conversation with your child’s doctor about any behavioral changes you may have noticed. Before an appointment, consider your child’s overall disposition — not just what they’re saying — to better understand on how they’re adjusting to the return to school.
Here’s a list of signs to watch for:
- Persistent sadness
- Avoidance of social interactions
- Bouts of extreme irritability
- Sudden mood changes
- Changes in eating habits
- Sleep problems
- Frequent ailments like headaches or stomachaches
- Concentration problems
- Changes in academic performance
Ask your child’s primary care doctor for guidance oon how to best support your child. While you may be able to help with mild bouts of emotional challenges, if symptoms intensify or begin to disrupt your child’s daily life, it’s important to consider involving expert support — and sooner rather than later.
“It’s critical to seek professional help, when necessary,” Dr. Randall said. “This is especially true if a child is behaving uncharacteristically for extended periods.”
In addition, Dr. Randall recommends these at-home steps to help ease stress that may surface during a new school year:
1. Create routines
What time does the family sit down together for dinner? When is “lights out” at night? What time do alarm clocks ring? The answers are important. Sticking to consistent schedules3 can help your child feel more confident, secure and stable.
2. Set technology limits
Teens may tell you that social media helps them feel connected but remember that too much of it may cause stress and anxiety.4 Consider setting family rules around when and where social media is allowed. For instance, implement “no screen-time” rules:
- During meals
- In bedrooms
- After 9 p.m.
- Until homework is done
3. Be an active listener
Make sure your child knows they can come to you anytime with questions or to share their feelings. If they do express feelings of fear or nervousness, validate their emotions. Listen intently, avoid asking too many questions, and reassure them the situation can improve.
“Remember these can be sensitive topics for your child,” Dr. Randall said. “Empathy, openness and patience can go a long way in helping them feel heard and optimistic that they’ll be OK.”
One last thing: Your child will be watching how you handle a new school year, so model the behaviors you want them to follow. Eat well, exercise and get the sleep you need to stay positive, even during hectic times. Experts say seeing adults coping with stress in a healthy way5 can boost resilience for our children.
If you or someone you care about is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, help is available 24 hours a day. Call or text 988 anytime for caring support from a trained crisis counselor through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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